How to Deal with an Absentee Boss
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Set Boundaries
Having your boss out of town creates the impression that you have time to help out other managers. Don't get trapped by your good will -- many assistants don't set firm boundaries between themselves and other managers so they wind up with other people's work. Here are some rules for when your boss is out of town:
Follow a strict schedule. This includes your casual coffee break schedule as well as time spent on your serious things-to-do list.
Be prepared to draw a line in the sand professionally. Your boss isn't there to help protect you from aggressive coworkers who may try to take advantage of your "ghost boss" situation. If someone asks you to work on something, weigh the favor and defend your time. Will meeting the request interfere with deadlines you must meet for your boss? Will it put you at risk of missing your boss's call? If it's just a minor favor to pitch in on something, think about helping out. If it's a bigger request and you can't do it, explain why you don't have time.
Take orders for big projects only from your boss. "Your boss told me to tell you to do this for me." Even if it's true, your boss should tell you what needs to be moved aside while your time is diverted. If you let your boss allow others to start giving you work, confusion will reign, deadlines will conflict and you'll never know who's in charge.
Monitor your own behaviour. Without someone watching you every day, it's easy to stop using your time wisely. Monitoring your behaviour so that you always act professionally is crucial if you're to be perceived as a hard worker. Do you take advantage of your boss's absence by having long lunches? Would you chat so much with co-workers if he were there? Keep a log of how your time is spent, and make sure you're putting in a full day.
The bottom line is if your boss is out of the office, it's up to you to manage things. Take charge of your job, and make sure the communication lines between you and your boss are always open.
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