Managers and Parents

One of the most important relationships to manage at work is the one with your manager.

What does your relationship with your manager and other superiors at work look like? Does it remind you of other relationships in your life?

It may be possible that your relationship with authority will parallel your relationship with your parents, as that’s the bedrock for all relationships.

Power dynamics at work can put workers in a place of lesser power. Managers have the authority and ultimate say. Workers are asked to execute based on expectations and standards set by managers. Negative consequences could be possible if the expectations are not met.

This is similar to how we grew up under our parents’ guidance. They discipline and shape us based on their beliefs about expected behavior. Parents provide the ultimatums with little room for dissent. If we did not comply, then we receive punishments of various forms (emotional, verbal, physical, freedom limitations, etc.)

Understanding our relationship patterns with people close to us can help clarify our behavior patterns at work. The root of conflicts, the communication patterns, and the misunderstandings are all focus areas leading to better productivity and engagement, and more purpose.