What are good strategies for working with an unreliable manager?

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I currently work as a software developer in an big accountancy/consultancy company.



I have been here for about 10 months. I have some troubles with my manager. He is a nice and likable person, but he seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliably for appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just asking him in the office is often not an option.



Often when I need his input, I write it down in order to ask it next time I see him (at our next catch-up, either in person or by phone). However, I have no confidence that this 'catch-up' will actually happen. Past experiences show that they can be cancelled the same day without a new one scheduled. I have stopped relying on email to communicate with him. (I still send emails, I just don't expect anything to be answered. )



When I ask team members on how to deal with this, they just say 'you need to be able to work quite independently with him as manager'.



This is my first serious job, so I am not sure if this is normal for a professional organization. Or am I just incapable (for now) of working as independently as expected?



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this? And how common is this situation in general?






communication manager







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  • Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago
















up vote
1
down vote

favorite












I currently work as a software developer in an big accountancy/consultancy company.



I have been here for about 10 months. I have some troubles with my manager. He is a nice and likable person, but he seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliably for appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just asking him in the office is often not an option.



Often when I need his input, I write it down in order to ask it next time I see him (at our next catch-up, either in person or by phone). However, I have no confidence that this 'catch-up' will actually happen. Past experiences show that they can be cancelled the same day without a new one scheduled. I have stopped relying on email to communicate with him. (I still send emails, I just don't expect anything to be answered. )



When I ask team members on how to deal with this, they just say 'you need to be able to work quite independently with him as manager'.



This is my first serious job, so I am not sure if this is normal for a professional organization. Or am I just incapable (for now) of working as independently as expected?



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this? And how common is this situation in general?






communication manager







share|improve this question









New contributor




gorgabal is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.



















  • Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago












up vote
1
down vote

favorite









up vote
1
down vote

favorite











I currently work as a software developer in an big accountancy/consultancy company.



I have been here for about 10 months. I have some troubles with my manager. He is a nice and likable person, but he seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliably for appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just asking him in the office is often not an option.



Often when I need his input, I write it down in order to ask it next time I see him (at our next catch-up, either in person or by phone). However, I have no confidence that this 'catch-up' will actually happen. Past experiences show that they can be cancelled the same day without a new one scheduled. I have stopped relying on email to communicate with him. (I still send emails, I just don't expect anything to be answered. )



When I ask team members on how to deal with this, they just say 'you need to be able to work quite independently with him as manager'.



This is my first serious job, so I am not sure if this is normal for a professional organization. Or am I just incapable (for now) of working as independently as expected?



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this? And how common is this situation in general?






communication manager







share|improve this question









New contributor




gorgabal is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I currently work as a software developer in an big accountancy/consultancy company.



I have been here for about 10 months. I have some troubles with my manager. He is a nice and likable person, but he seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliably for appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just asking him in the office is often not an option.



Often when I need his input, I write it down in order to ask it next time I see him (at our next catch-up, either in person or by phone). However, I have no confidence that this 'catch-up' will actually happen. Past experiences show that they can be cancelled the same day without a new one scheduled. I have stopped relying on email to communicate with him. (I still send emails, I just don't expect anything to be answered. )



When I ask team members on how to deal with this, they just say 'you need to be able to work quite independently with him as manager'.



This is my first serious job, so I am not sure if this is normal for a professional organization. Or am I just incapable (for now) of working as independently as expected?



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this? And how common is this situation in general?






communication manager




communication manager






share|improve this question









New contributor




gorgabal is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




gorgabal is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




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edited 8 mins ago









Joe Strazzere

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asked 4 hours ago









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gorgabal is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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Check out our Code of Conduct.











  • Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago
















  • Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
    – gorgabal
    3 hours ago















Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
– gorgabal
3 hours ago




Accountancy, but they have some internal software projects. I will update the question to reflect that.
– gorgabal
3 hours ago




1




1




also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
– gorgabal
3 hours ago




also: I notice that this question is downvoted serveral times. If the question can be improved, please let me know.
– gorgabal
3 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote














I have some troubles with my manager.



He seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliable on
appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just
asking him in the office is often not an option.



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this?




There are a few techniques you might use:



  • Ask your boss who you should turn to if you need an answer and he isn't available

  • Ask your boss what would be the best method to get time from him when needed

  • As your coworkers suggest, learn to operate far more independently. Sometimes that means making a decision and going forward even if you are unsure if it is the right decision

  • Continue to save up the important questions for whenever you do get in contact with him

  • When you send an email, also indicate what path you will take if you don't hear back within a specified period of time. That will let your boss decide if it is urgent to reply or not

If all else fails, and you find that you aren't able to operate as independently as the situation calls for, maybe this isn't the right organization for you.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
    – DaveG
    1 hour ago










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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
6
down vote














I have some troubles with my manager.



He seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliable on
appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just
asking him in the office is often not an option.



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this?




There are a few techniques you might use:



  • Ask your boss who you should turn to if you need an answer and he isn't available

  • Ask your boss what would be the best method to get time from him when needed

  • As your coworkers suggest, learn to operate far more independently. Sometimes that means making a decision and going forward even if you are unsure if it is the right decision

  • Continue to save up the important questions for whenever you do get in contact with him

  • When you send an email, also indicate what path you will take if you don't hear back within a specified period of time. That will let your boss decide if it is urgent to reply or not

If all else fails, and you find that you aren't able to operate as independently as the situation calls for, maybe this isn't the right organization for you.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
    – DaveG
    1 hour ago














up vote
6
down vote














I have some troubles with my manager.



He seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliable on
appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just
asking him in the office is often not an option.



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this?




There are a few techniques you might use:



  • Ask your boss who you should turn to if you need an answer and he isn't available

  • Ask your boss what would be the best method to get time from him when needed

  • As your coworkers suggest, learn to operate far more independently. Sometimes that means making a decision and going forward even if you are unsure if it is the right decision

  • Continue to save up the important questions for whenever you do get in contact with him

  • When you send an email, also indicate what path you will take if you don't hear back within a specified period of time. That will let your boss decide if it is urgent to reply or not

If all else fails, and you find that you aren't able to operate as independently as the situation calls for, maybe this isn't the right organization for you.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
    – DaveG
    1 hour ago












up vote
6
down vote










up vote
6
down vote










I have some troubles with my manager.



He seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliable on
appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just
asking him in the office is often not an option.



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this?




There are a few techniques you might use:



  • Ask your boss who you should turn to if you need an answer and he isn't available

  • Ask your boss what would be the best method to get time from him when needed

  • As your coworkers suggest, learn to operate far more independently. Sometimes that means making a decision and going forward even if you are unsure if it is the right decision

  • Continue to save up the important questions for whenever you do get in contact with him

  • When you send an email, also indicate what path you will take if you don't hear back within a specified period of time. That will let your boss decide if it is urgent to reply or not

If all else fails, and you find that you aren't able to operate as independently as the situation calls for, maybe this isn't the right organization for you.






share|improve this answer













I have some troubles with my manager.



He seems so busy that he seems unable to show up reliable on
appointments or process his emails. He often works abroad so just
asking him in the office is often not an option.



So, how do I deal/work with a manager like this?




There are a few techniques you might use:



  • Ask your boss who you should turn to if you need an answer and he isn't available

  • Ask your boss what would be the best method to get time from him when needed

  • As your coworkers suggest, learn to operate far more independently. Sometimes that means making a decision and going forward even if you are unsure if it is the right decision

  • Continue to save up the important questions for whenever you do get in contact with him

  • When you send an email, also indicate what path you will take if you don't hear back within a specified period of time. That will let your boss decide if it is urgent to reply or not

If all else fails, and you find that you aren't able to operate as independently as the situation calls for, maybe this isn't the right organization for you.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 3 hours ago









Joe Strazzere

234k114685972




234k114685972







  • 1




    I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
    – DaveG
    1 hour ago












  • 1




    I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
    – DaveG
    1 hour ago







1




1




I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
– DaveG
1 hour ago




I really really like the "here's what I'm going to do if I don't hear otherwise" part of the emails. It avoids the whole "how come you didn't read my mind" discussion.
– DaveG
1 hour ago










gorgabal is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









 

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