Arguably, in the 21st century many people are smarter than their boss is. This is because the society is becoming more globalized, and changing at a high pace. In some situations, other people may argue that the issue is caused by the pressure to achieve organizational goal. The bosses of companies employ very intelligent and superior employees than them; their main goal is to have a working team that is efficient and fit for the job. In the course of the job, conflict arises between the intelligent workers and the boss. Perhaps, the strategy of employing smart employees as worked in many big companies in the world. The main thing that employees should understand is that the boss is their because of a reason, and been smarter than him doest make them any better than him, especially in management and experience. In such situations, what is important to counter the conflict is to respect each other’s position and work.
In fact, knowing more than the boss does not make you any better. Undoubtedly, employees in such a situation have numerous things to work for in order to be in peace with their boss. You have to always be in a position to maintain alliance between oneself and the boss. If you try to show that you are better than the boss, then relationship between you and the boss will automatically be hindered (Scott 66). Certainly, the main thing to do is to act intelligently, and display your smartness as a comfort to the work of the boss, rather than a threat to his/her position. It is close to impossible to be better that the boss, any time you try to show that you know more, conflict arises, putting you at a risk of losing the job.
Despite the fact, that you know more than the boss does not make an employee be the boss. Facts will always remain that you are working under someone; hence, such an employee should respect the boss and always do as he says. The boss in the office is to oversee and manage the employees (Collins 50). Therefore, the best way to survive in the workplace is to respect him and do as he/she says. In order to get along with the manager, especially if you know more than him/her does, it is necessary to understand his/her individual preferences and personality and use your smartness to adapt your personal conduct, to ensure that a positive relationship develops between you and the boss. As you enter the workplace, it is recommended to develop excellent human relationship (Scott 67).
In any form of hierarchy, being the boss is the most precious thing, than no one would want to lose it. Therefore, working with a lesser intelligent boss, is very tricky. Workers need not to focus more on their promotion, but rather work smartly to earn the promotion. Looking down upon the boss, because you are more intelligent will never earn you a promotion in the workplace. Whether you work in a large or small company, the deliberate overtures, and subtle tinge of workplace gossip can take the difference of knowing more than the boss, into dramatic issues and conflict in the workplace. Furthermore, disrespecting the boss overshadows and affects day-to-day activities of the organization (Collins 58).
Knowing more than the boss, threatens his/her position in the organization. In this case, the boss is threatened by the possibility of losing his position. The boss, has a genuine reason to be threatened, position takeover makes the boss uneasy. This is because he sees a possibility of losing the post to the smartest employee (Hoover 53). Statistics show that, most managers of the company lose their positions to the smarter employees, this is because generations become smarter each an everyday. In another scenario, if you know more than the boss does, there is a temptation to work hard to take over the position, creating conflict in the workplace.
The variation in knowledge between employees and their managers leads to underperformance. This is caused by poor communication between managers and employees. Mostly, smart employees will always underrate the targets and strategies of the boss; this in turn will affect the entire performance of the organization. Knowing more, means you are able to set and see beyond the scope of your boss, yet by doing so he feels inferior. To maintain your job, you have to perform below what you know; hence, the manager will be pleased at the expense of the organization's progress (Hoover 61).
Knowing more than the boss will always expose the boss in a negative situation. Therefore, in some occasions you might overreact on his/her errors, because it is so easy because you know more than the boss does. In such a situation, we should not take the mistakes of the boss seriously, but help him to be on the right spot (Scott 69). The boss will always be the manager, and recommendations of how you work will come from him. Hence, promotion credentials will be from the boss. If you intend to be promoted, it is important to help the boss any time he makes errors, and never act as if you know more.
It is human to overreact about the errors of the boss. Being smarter than the boss is, leads to self-inflicted problems in the career of employees. Diminishing the strengths, resisting authority of the boss, and overreaction form the irritants in the workplace, always inflicting continued conflict. As an employee, you should not distort the boss negatively, because it makes both of you less likely (Collins 79). Knowing more than the boss may lead to job dissatisfaction and minimum talent application. To prevent unnecessary tension and competition, the boss might set limits for his/her employees. In the process, the potentiality of the workers may be undermined making them to step aside. Smart employees will always step aside if the boss does not give room to gain experience and attain professional excellence. The boss will always use all means to ensure that you are below him/her.
During a meeting and peer conversation, the boss may feel undermined. Knowing more than the boss, means that you will always be actively involved in the events taking place in the company. In this case, the mental weakness and intelligent underlings may be witnessed; hence, it undermines authority, prestige, as well as subtly insulting them. Contributing in the meetings should not be intended to sabotage and publicize the knowledge of the boss, but should be for the help of the organization (Scott 72).
Conclusively, knowing better than the boss does not make you the boss or any better. Working with a lesser knowledgeable boss is very difficult and tricky, the knowledge you have should be used to solve conflicts in organization. The main objective of employees in the workplace is to deliver and maintain your job. Therefore, the best way to do is to respect the decision of the boss, listen to his instructions, and never work against him. The intelligence should be used to promote the work of the boss, and guarantee organizational success. The boss of every organization is in the position because experience and success. Management of an organization does not only depend on knowledge, but also other important issues. As an employee, accept the fact that the manager has the powers to direct everything in the workplace, make him look smart, never complain about his failures, and always be positive towards his work.
Work cited
Collins, S. Managing Conflict and Workplace Relationship. New York. Wadsworth, 2008.
Hoover, J. How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive-Without Killing Your Boss. London:
Wiley, 2003.
Scott, V. Conflict Resolution at Work for Dummies. New Jersey: Wiley, 2009.
