How to Cope With the Boss Sidekick
You can find the boss’ sidekick, also known as the boss interpreter, in almost every organization. This is the person that has seemingly unlimited access to the boss. He is sort of a “Mini-Me Boss”.
This person is seen by the others in the organization as the one who knows what the boss said, or what the boss wants done, what did the boss mean with this statement or that statement.
This could be the administrative assistant, chief of staff, a close ally, a long-service employee. This usually happens in a larger, complex organization that has a pyramid structure. Access to the boss is limited due to the boss schedule, or due to fear of the boss.
The situation has some merit. The boss really doesn’t have time to solve everyone’s problems. It creates a structure for communication. It builds a communication link.
There is also an opportunity for abuse. When the sidekick is power hungry, he is in a position to broker and control communication with the boss.
How to cope with the boss sidekick? Understanding, control, and improved communication skills.
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Here are more pages about organizational communication:
Go to the Communication Process Page
Go to the Communication Guidelines Page