My boss is an idiot
What to do when the Judge won't follow the law is my number one question from prosecutors. This week's post is about my number two question.
I get so many questions about this from so many prosecutors around the country. It happens in every jurisdiction. While this weeks tip focuses on prosecutors, it's no different for law enforcement, medical professionals, and advocates.
What do I do if I have a terrible boss?
A universal belief in prosecution offices is that a good prosecutor will make a great boss. Unfortunately, sometimes the traits of a good prosecutor don't transfer into leadership.
I've had some great bosses and some that weren't great. I'll give you a few ideas.
Before we deal with the boss...
Don't be critical of the boss if the real issue is you. Conduct your own performance evaluation. Not the one you get from management. The one that tells the real story.
What is your weakest trial skill? What are you doing about it?
How hard are you working? Really.
Rate your attitude--towards your cases, your co-workers, your law enforcement partners, your victims. Where do you fall short?
If you were to get passed over for a promotion, what reason would they give?
Don't stop there. What about your health? Notice that softness building around the middle that you didn't have 2 years ago? It creeps in.
How are your relationships? (What relationships, I'm a prosecutor. We don't have relationships) You need a group around you, and they don't have to be prosecutors, cops, advocates, forensic nurses.
We are all works in progress. I failed a ton as a prosecutor and as a Trial Team Leader, Supervisor, Chief Deputy, and Assistant District Attorney, friend, husband, athlete. I never stopped the cycle of learning, failing, learning something new.
Still do it today.
Your boss might just be in that failing/learning part of the process. If not. We move forward with this last question:
Are you choosing to lead?
Don't be a boss Be a leader
Boss is just a title
You can put someone into the position of being a boss by giving them a title. That doesn't make them a leader.
Your boss has a title. Respect that title. You don't have to like them or be their best friend, but they are your boss, so accept that fact. Trying to get them called out for not knowing something or proving them wrong about something rarely has a benefit. Usually it works the other way.
The same goes for talking bad about them to peers. It will get back to them.
Instead, focus on your work. If you do good work, you look good. It makes your boss look good too. They will eventually learn to value that.
A leader is different than a boss
If you feel a leadership void, then step up.
Nothing says you can't lead from within your unit.
Do the things that need done.
Someone in the unit needs help. Help.
Morale is low. Boost it.
Take the initiative.
Innovate.
Leadership is defined by action. The way you act, the things you do. The things you don't do. That doesn't require a title and it's far more effective than being a boss.
You can have a bad boss, but if you are a leader, you will find the way through it and bring others along with you.
Make yourself a bulletproof team member/leader
I stole this tactic from Jocko Willink. No one likes a complainer.
Jocko's response to everything was, "Good."
Mine is, "Got it. No problem."
-We're running short handed and won't be able to hire until the next budget cycle.
"Got it. No problem."
-I'm sorry but we can't redistribute those cases.
"Got it. No problem."
-We need to pull an investigator from your unit.
"Got it. No problem."
-We need to move [X] out of your unit. There's no replacement.
"Got it. No problem."
The people I work with hear me say it so often, they will even send me a problem and enter my reply for me.
"Got it. No problem."
There will come a time when it IS a problem. When you do finally need the help, you are far more likely to get it. You want to be the solution, not the problem.
Some day it will be you
Some day, you will be the boss. Make sure you aren't a bad one. Lead.
Having trouble with your boss and want to chat? I'm here and I can be confidential.
Email me: gfineman@dvtrainandconsult.com with any questions.
The legal stuff
The DV Tip of the Week does not constitute legal advice and is designed to inspire thought around best practices in addressing intimate partner violence. No lawyer client relationship exists through use of DV Training Tips and the user is responsible for verifying the current nature of any point of law. |
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