Managing Your Manager: What Type Is Your Manager?

What kind of supervisors have you worked with? Have you encountered those who throw tasks at you ad hoc, only to forget about them until one day, seemingly out of nowhere, they ask about the status of “that thing” they casually mentioned months ago? Or have you worked with supervisors who are systematic, assigning you a finite number of tasks with clear metrics and well-defined deadlines? Most likely, you’ve experienced both types. Reflecting on which type you prefer may reveal a lot about your own working style and priorities.

I often tell my team that if you have an organized manager supervising you, consider yourself blessed. However, I also caution them that if working in an organized, systematic manner isn’t their style, it might be best to seek another team that better aligns with their preferences. This doesn’t imply that one type of manager is superior to the other—both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore these dynamics and unpack some of their pros and cons.

The Ad Hoc Genius

Some geniuses thrive on an ad hoc thought process. Their brilliance lies in the way their minds work—brilliant ideas come and go, and they share them aloud spontaneously. For keen listeners, this can be a goldmine. A sharp employee can catch these fleeting ideas, pick the right one, and implement it effectively. However, this talent of filtering and focusing is not universal, and there are inherent risks to this approach.
Throwing too many ideas into the mix can overwhelm the team. Employees may struggle to identify which goals are worth pursuing or may lack the maturity to fully understand the implications of their choices. This can result in confusion, with some employees chasing the wrong priorities or dropping previously discussed tasks in favor of the newest idea. For a genius manager, this chaotic approach can work only if they’re surrounded by a highly mature and skilled team capable of filtering, prioritizing, and executing efficiently. Without such a team, the genius’s ideas may remain just that—ideas.

The Brilliant Systematic Leader

Not every manager is a genius, but many possess brilliant minds that enable them to be successful industry leaders. These managers understand that their teams operate with finite time, budgets, and resources. They make sure that their team’s workload is balanced and achievable. When the to-do list grows long, they step in to help prioritize, ensuring that critical tasks are completed first.

Such leaders know the value of surrounding themselves with high-performing team members who can take ownership and drive tasks to completion. While these managers may not be the next Steve Jobs or Elon Musk, these systematic leaders often have the staying power to run Fortune 500 companies successfully and for much longer periods than the ad hoc genius. Their ability to think methodically and execute systematically enables them to build sustainable success.

What Employees Seek in a Manager

Now let’s switch perspectives and examine the expectations of employees. Employees look to their managers for direction and guidance. Most employees aspire to achieve great things in their careers but also value work-life balance. A motivated employee wouldn’t mind putting in sleepless nights to solve a pressing problem, but few would want to lose sleep deciding which of the twenty problems they’ve been assigned to tackle first. That kind of stress belongs to entrepreneurs or startup CEOs, not employees who seek clarity and focus from their managers.

Thriving Under a Genius Manager

If you’re an employee who thrives on working with a genius, embrace the challenge, but be prepared to drink from a firehose. Carefully choose which problems to tackle, ensuring your manager supports and values your commitment. Avoid taking on multiple challenges simultaneously in an attempt to please your manager. With their rapid-fire ideas and shifting focus, you’ll likely never fully satisfy their expectations. Instead, focus on the learning opportunities and personal growth that come with working under a genius manager. But understand that such relationships often aren’t long-lasting—and that’s okay.

Succeeding with a Systematic Manager

If you prefer working under a brilliant and systematic manager, be prepared to mirror their structured approach. These managers expect their teams to be organized and methodical. Scatterbrained employees can be particularly challenging for them to manage. To thrive under a systematic leader, maintain a prioritized list of tasks, organize your projects, and come to meetings well-prepared. Proactively identify delays, analyze risks, and communicate them before they become critical issues. In short, embody the traits of a wise and disciplined employee. If you do, your manager will not only appreciate your efforts but likely consider you an indispensable part of the team.

Conclusion

In my experience, categorizing managers into just two buckets may be overly simplistic. The real world offers a wide spectrum of leadership styles. Nonetheless, reflecting on where you and your manager fall within these categories can help you better prepare for and adapt to your specific circumstances.

Perhaps you’re lucky enough to work under a manager who combines the best of both worlds—a genius who’s also systematic in setting and achieving goals. If so, cherish the opportunity and make the most of it. For the rest of us, understanding these dynamics is a valuable exercise in navigating the complexities of workplace relationships and staying organized both at work and in life.