The first thing to understand about alpha managers is that they don't like excuses. They want to know the project can be completed or that it can't be completed. They often skip over the details of your personal life and go after successful completion of projects like a rabid dog. If you slow them up due to your inabilities or lack of experience it frustrates them.
Working for an alpha manager can actually be a great learning experience for you. You might grumble under your breath at that comment but it is all very true. These bosses have experienced a lot of success in their lives and if you take the time to sit back and learn from them you might be better off.
Tips for Working with an Alpha Boss:
- Speak about what is important: Alpha bosses don't want to hear every little detail about everything that you have going on in your life. They want to know the bottom line, the summary and what you can do to fix it. Don't annoy your boss with windy conversations.
- Don't take it personally: If you get criticized in one of the meetings understand that your boss isn't as concerned about your feels as he/she might be about the job you did. It doesn't matter who you are but it does matter that you made a mistake. It is their way of giving you advice and getting you to do the right thing.
- Don't Waste Your Time: If your boss sees you drinking coffee for an hour talking to wife on the phone he may just get upset. He wants to see you accomplish things and move efficiently. As an alpha boss he wants the whole organization to be as successful and efficient as possible.
- Come with Solutions: Don't go to your boss with problems unless you are also going to offer solutions. A boss might appreciate you bringing a problem to his/her attention but chances are it is going to frustrate them unless you can solve it. Even better they might just put you in charge.
