by Glenn Magas

Created on: February 04, 2010

A meddling boss either has issues with managing and needs to micro manage in order to feel like the job is getting done, or is just a boss who meddles because it is in his or her nature.  Either way, determine if it is just you who feels your boss is meddling, or if your boss is truly an annoying meddler.

If your boss is ‘picking’ on you by being over your shoulder and watching every thing you do, from work related issues to personal issues, he or she may have a trust issue with you. If your boss just can’t help it but meddle, the steps you need to take are exactly the same.

Once you figure out the pattern, it is important to act upon it as soon as possible. The steps you need to take are simple:

1. Offer information before asked
2. Over exhaust your boss with information
3. Get the job done efficiently and effectively

Yes, this may seem like a joke, a humorous attempt to control a situation that may be stressful and or cause conflict, but if handled in a professional manner, these steps can alleviate the meddling if it continues, or squash it from happening ever again.

1. Offer information before asked

If you make it a good habit to prepare your day by writing down your task list, you can provide this list of tasks to your boss before you even start. Go into detail on how it will be accomplished and when.

By giving this step-by-step day of events, whenever your boss needs to feel like meddling, you can refer directly to your plan of action. Point out where you are on your tasks, how you’ve succeed on them, and where you see yourself in an hour, two hours and by the end of the day.

Your boss now has no expectations because he or she will know exactly where you are throughout the day when it comes to your task list.

2. Over exhaust your boss with information

Provide more information than you would normally provide. Give details, back up plans, plan of action, steps you need to take and other mundane pieces of information.

Your boss may find that your outpouring of information is overwhelming and may feel the need to just leave you alone. Why? Because if they interrupt you with their meddling you won’t get things done and they won’t want to sit there and listen to it all over again while they hover over your shoulder.

3. Get the job done efficiently and effectively

Do you want your boss off your back fast and easy? Perform at a high level and get things done efficiently and effectively.

The first two steps can actually help you with doing this if you really take them seriously. By 1) Offer information before asked it means you have prepared your day and have a concrete plan of action. This time spent, 10-15 minutes, can improve your productivity by two hours of a workday.  And, 2) Over exhaust your boss with information means you are well prepared to take on the tasks for the day.

There is no need for a boss to hover over a highly productive worker. Understand that some bosses just need to feel needed and that’s why they communicate in a way that seems like meddling.  Offer up yourself, open your ears, listen, but also be the most productive employee in the office. Your boss will soon back off to give you the space to exceed expectations.

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