Why a Good Boss Doesn't Have Bad Deputies: Debunking a Common Office Myth

29.07.2024 10:20
Updated: 28.09.2024 01:32

Many office workers or civil servants are deeply mistaken about their bosses and their deputies.

Often the picture that emerges is as follows: the main boss is everyone's favorite, but he is almost never there.

He is either on vacation, or sick leave, or on a business trip, or in important negotiations.

So he leaves a deputy in his place, who is, as a rule, a very unpleasant and repulsive type. He interferes with everyone's work, constantly holds meetings that turn into showdowns and showdowns, conducts service checks, criticizes, and spies on his subordinates.

In short, they sincerely hate him and try to open the boss’s eyes to his right hand.

office
Photo: Pixabay

Unfortunately, this is useless for a number of reasons.

The CEO is always aware of everything

For some reason, few people understand this simple truth, but everyone naively believes that a good boss is being deceived by a bad deputy.

Nothing of the sort: these people work in tandem, therefore, they know everything about each other. This especially concerns their methods of control and sanctions.

A deputy will never do anything that his immediate superior would not approve of. Therefore, the tactics are simple, reminiscent of a combination of a "bad" and "good" cop.

Running and reporting in this case is unwise: both bosses will definitely take this into account and at the first opportunity will certainly get rid of the informer.

The chief executive doesn't need or care about anything

It also happens that he is a director only formally, on paper. In reality, this person has long given the green light to his deputy, and perhaps plans to appoint him instead of himself. For example, the boss is already elderly and unhealthy, often gets sick and recovers in sanatoriums.

So he is trying to gradually accustom his employees to the idea that his place will soon be taken by someone else.

In this case, complaining is also inappropriate: the relationship between two bosses is usually trusting and well-established. And if they are also "privileged" (relatives or friends), then there is nothing to talk about at all. It is easier to immediately write a resignation letter.

Office wars are, of course, a serious problem. But when the deputy general manager is involved, the conflict rarely reaches its climax.

Many prefer to keep quiet, because they understand that complaints will not achieve anything. And if someone risks going all the way, then they are faced with a choice: dismissal of their own accord or under the article.

Unfortunately, managers don’t like to air their dirty laundry in public, and their subordinates are always to blame for everything.

So, don't entertain false illusions. Most likely, the situation is as follows: the boss knows everything and fully supports the supposedly evil deputy.

In fact, they are both in on it, and the general is not at all as kind and liberal as he wants to appear.

He just needs to play the role of an understanding and positive boss, who everyone would love and respect. And his right hand, as a rule, takes the brunt of the blow.

The combination is simple, and its goal is to enslave the team, to make its members obedient and submissive performers.

Previously, I talked about how to manage your time and achieve your goals.

Vitaly Kisterny Author: Vitaly Kisterny Editor-in-Chief