Navigating Balance Of Power With Your Manager

Everyone in the corporate world reports up to someone. With that being said, this relationship between the subordinate and the superior is one that needs to be carefully fostered or the balance of power will get thrown off and lead to internal conflicts. Managing that balance of power takes careful skill to know when you are able to yield more control, and when you should recede.

There will be times in your career where you feel that you are more qualified for the management position than your manager. Although you may want to outdo your manager’s skill and ability, do not outshine them or your job could be in jeopardy. If you challenge your manager too much, they could become apprehensive of your roles, and loyalty, within the organization. Everyone is insecure in their own way, and your boss is no exception.

Instead of outperforming your manager, find a way to leverage your skills in another aspect of your job responsibilities, or perhaps your company overall, to reach your goal. For example, if your manager doesn’t like to give presentations, offer your presentation expertise in a way that will save your manager time while subtly showing your strengths. Do not point out your boss’s weakness and your strength. You don’t want to make a quick enemy. Rather, frame your strength in a subtle way that will gain appreciation as opposed to concern for job security. That way, you will be strengthening your employee value within the organization instead of threatening your superior’s position.

The concept of knowing your place within your department comes down rational thinking. Most of the time, your manager played a part in you joining your organization because of the value they saw in you. You want to live up to that value, however, and recognize the limits of that. Your superior also holds the keys to your future within the organization. Because of this reality, you should not outshine you direct superior. That is, if you want to keep your job of course.