If you felt your boss was drowning, what would you do?

[Blueshape]

She's nice. Fairly new in post with the challenges that brings, but she's competent and contentious. She's in a senior role, one level down from CEO, two others at the same level in different business areas. Her role is an amalgamation of two old ones, one of which was failing (previous incumbent was sacked/managed out) so is a big piece of work to sort out.

She's completely overwhelmed. She's saying all the right things, and staying professional, probably delivering Ok upwards, but we in the team are always waiting on things and/or having to send them back for correction.

Just keep you head down or try to help?

The CEO is (IMO) a nasty bully of a man, but the chair of trustees is more approachable.

I'd offer to help, she's new in post, was left a shitshow to sort out, is there a team leader who could speak to her, if you are all s3nding some stuff back for correction then it would be kind if someone could spend time with her to go through the correct procedures,

The errors are more I need to get this done in a hurry than because she doesn't know.

If my boss was drowning, I'd stand on his head just to make sure 😂

TBH I think the role is just too big, at least until the "shitshow" gets sorted.

I could help by taking some work (I am semi retired and have experience beyond my role) but it would be well above my paygrade, which I don't mind, but is probably inappropriate in terms of access, iyswim.

Id have an off the record chat with her. Friendly supportive and so on. Take on what you can to help her. She can go to the trustees, I don't think you should.

By access do you mean security level which you don't have? Has anyone spoken to her to see how she's getting on, if she's struggling can she delegate some of the less senior work.

It's not as structured as a security level, but yes there are confidential things you wouldn't expect someone at my level to have access to.

I have asked and she says she's very busy but Ok, which is what I'd expect her to say to someone of my level.

This is a tricky one, you want to be supportive without taking in too much of her role, and she also will need to find her rhythm and bring in changes to improve her situation.

i would accept that I can’t fix this, but be helpful where I can. Does she have a good PA? That can really help when you are new

Yeah, I’ve definitely had bosses that I’d do that too.

Trustees tells me this is charity or education.

All messengers are usually shot in those settings.

What I would (and have) done is try to think of something that’s a change to ways of working rather than offering to help her out. For instance when things come back to you - is there a way it can be avoided that she’s part of the process?

My boss has a tough job and has her moments. I think it’s my job to help her in any way I can. Sometimes that’s a cup of tea, mostly it’s counsel on issues, being a confidant, getting info she needs to make a decision. And sometimes it’s just being calm and accommodating as the others she has to work with can be stubborn dicks!!

My boss? I'd watch them drown.