You may remember that 1980’s English satirical comedy show “Spitting Image” and the surreal dialogue between Margaret Thatcher and a waitress in a restaurant where she took her cabinet out:

Waitress: Would you like to order, sir?
Thatcher: Yes. I will have the steak.
Waitress: How would you like it?
Thatcher: Oh, raw, please.
Waitress: And what about the Vegetables?
Thatcher: Oh, they’ll [The Cabinet] have the same as me!

As funny as this quote is, it illustrates a critical point in leadership: You are not a leader if you never disagree with your boss or if you are not telling the boss when she is wrong. As hard as the truth can be for the big boss to hear, giving feedback to your boss will serve you in 3 ways:

1. It shows strong ethics on your part and that you are truly committed to make your boss succeed. When the boss is wrong and you know it, you’d better tell him before he is cold called in his next meeting with the CEO. The boss will feel very naked then!
2. It demonstrates strong leadership skills on your part. As a leader, you can choose to complain about your boss’ mistakes, whine, gossip, and become a victim. Or you can step up and talk to your boss to help her do the right thing. Which way do you want to go?
3. The most influential person for your success as a leader (besides you that is) is you guessed it, your boss. So, by not letting your boss down in critical moments, you will obtain more commitments from her when you most need it: For instance with career growth, networking or to address a challenge.

What leader do you want to be? Is managing your boss, giving her feedback on your radar? If not, what else can you do to enhance that part of your leadership?

Reference picture: By Hans Tegner – Copy at New York Public Library.

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