To be straight with my manager at how crap he is (in a nice way) 😳

[Themostimportant]

My manager is a nice guy. Flexible, kind, has my back but is annoyingly hands off to the point I can’t get anything done.

Hardly ever in the office, I can’t get anything done, I can’t get an answer out of him about anything. There’s no direction, I can’t approve anything. I’m starting to let others down as he’s not coming back to me to guide me.

I’m finding myself so frustrated all the time. Possibly the things I’m bringing to him he doesn’t care about but I do and these things impact other teams. They are processes that if put in place will improve the business but he appears not to care.

His manager is the MD, I could jump over my managers head but that would be the nuclear option as I already get a feeling the MD is keeping a close eye on him.

Its getting to the point where I feel I need to leave, I’ve had enough working for someone so lax.

Has anyone tackled this head on? I’m happy to have a difficult conversation with him if it’s the done thing?

No reason why you shouldn't. In fact, I would say leaving the job is a nuclear option.
In the first instance, I would set up a meeting with your line manager and explain that you are having some difficulties with processes which affect your work and other teams. Here is what processes you propose. Avoid any non-constructive comments about his performance, this is not your remit. Focus on solutions which will make your job easier.
If he agrees to your proposal, you are golden. If not, give it a few more weeks and then absolutely go to his superior. Explain how your work is impacted and that you proposed some changes to procedures which hasn't been taken on board. Then let them deal with it. Your manager's job security is not your concern, to be honest and "managing up" is a good skill to have.

Don’t go to him with questions. Go to him with an issue, or dilemma, or whatever.. say “I could do x or y, I think the best course of action is y, because….blah blah, is that cool with you? Or, I can’t see any issues here, I’m going to approve this, etc.

I think the situation is a good opportunity for you to be more proactive.

Can you set up a weekly/fortnightly meeting with him at a set time and use that to go over priorities and agree decisions. Definitely take him your proposed solutions rather than just problems. I take my manager a set of issues, potential solutions and their impact, and ask him if he agrees with my chosen solution. I also take him my proposed priorities and ask if there is anything I don't know about that would change those.

Are these things you can take a view on but just need sign off by authority? If so, I would just start saying "i think the best option is A and I will do this unless I hear otherwise from you by X."

Speak to the MD. You have no loyalty to this guy.

Managing upwards is a skill. We've got a new office manager who is doing it brilliantly with our boss. To be fair he was clear with her what he needed her to do in terms of managing him as he's fairly aware of his blindspots. I'd have that conversation.

Do you have regular meetings, ask for time to check out how processes are working and if any changes can be made to make work flow better amd go from there.

My boss is the very same. I agree with others you go to him with solutions not problems. Have you heard of 1-3-1 problem solving.1 define the problem clearly, 3 researched/considered/thought through solutions, 1 your proposed solution. Try that with him and see where it goes.

I have a similar problem with my current manager. It's really frustrating. He tells people I own certain things but then dips in and out randomly so I don't feel that I actually own things and can't move them forward, which makes me look bad. When I need him to support me or set direction he doesn't do it. I put in meetings to pin him down and he keeps no showing.

I can manage upwards, take solutions etc. but it's exhausting effectively doing his job for him. I have tried to pitch it to him that we need to work collectively to clarify roles and responsibilities across the team and set direction - he agreed and did nothing. It's enraging!

@Themostimportant why is he not coming into office?? why is he so hands off?? why are you carrying him?????