Anyone ever been asked to "review" their boss?

[triplej2676]

Here is the situation..briefly...(kind of!)

Our department got changed approximately 6 months ago, and I was not happy about it. I kind of feel like my boss got promoted prematurely. All of a sudden, she was my boss, yet she had no idea what my daily tasks are.

Well, needless to say, there has been lots of friction between us. She confronted me and told me she didnt think I respected her, which I don't. I don't just respect someone based on title, I think they should earn it. Plus, I just don't see her point of view. She has been trying hard lately to make things work, and I keep a positive attitude. I definitely take 1/2 responsibility for us not getting along very well.

Here is the point now...I have been asked by HER boss (who is OUR boss) to provide feedback for her review. I find myself in a quandry, b/c there are some glaring issues. There are some good things, too. Do I say both? I am leaning towards saying NOTHING at all. I could use some insight and wisdom on this. Has anyone else been thru something like this?

[Kate]

Maybe try to use constructive criticism. I know that it's hard when you have feelings there though! What a tough situation to be in. I do know that when I worked for Frito Lay, we did was called 360 reviews. I got to review my boss! He didn't get to see what exactly I said, but his boss would then review it and I guess give him pointers on how to improve his job. Luckily there wasn't any friction between us so I didn't have much bad to say about him. He was a great boss for me.

But yes, I'd say good and bad things. You know, alternate it if you can. A few good, one bad, a few good, one bad so that you are seeing her good qualities as well.

Good luck with it! But I think it's important to be honest if at all possible.

[spasmo]

We get to review our bosses and I like it when my employees review me. It can get uncomfortable though... I had a situation where I liked my boss as a friend but did not respect the job he was doing in our organization. I knew their was friction between him and his boss (and his boss would go around him to me to have me handle things). I talked to BOTH of them about the situation and gave them both pointers about working with the other one. I also tried to always be balanced... I pointed out the positives (when there were some) and the negatives (which there usually were lots of). Whatever I said in a review I had always told my boss before hand... I just wished he had listened.

My advice is be fair minded, be as balanced as possible, dont use emotionally charged language, and when you present your information (both positive and negative) back it up with specific examples. Try and give your boss enough information to help them learn so they can be successful and help you be successful. If they choose not to take constructive criticism, well that is a different story and a different thread... and something their boss will have to deal with.

GOOD LUCK!

[GirlyGirl]

Hi Jessica. Are you the only one that was asked to provide feedback? And is this being done in an informal unoffical capacity? If so, I would be very very cautious in saying anything negative. Although her boss has asked for your input, she might unconsciously view you as a negative team player or she might think that you will badmouth her in the future. Most employers place a high value on loyalty.

If everybody has been asked for input and this is done in an official anonymous manner, ie...the company has a form and submission process for these types of review...then I would be honest, but try to be ojective.

Please let us know how this goes for you. I wish you the best.

[Twiz]

Maybe your employer has realized they promoted this person error and needs to reconsider that decision... I think if I were asked to evaluate my boss I would have to be very honest with my evaluation, I would tell them both the good and bad, I am very honest person if someone asks my opinion about something I give it them straight up, that way there are no what ifs later. I agree with SPASMO be fair minded and examples are always a plus ...that way there are facts to back up what you are saying

[jcme]

I have to review my peers, bosses and team members. I think the key to any review is to word things so that the person knows what they are doing right and what they need to do to improve. The wording for anything negative should be constructive criticism so that the person can learn and improve. I also don't think any of the the negatives should be a surprise.

As others have said, be careful with your wording and cite specific examples. Since you mentioned thinking that this person was promoted prematurely instead of promoted in error, concentrate on the things she needs to get up to speed for her new assignment.

[crunchies0313]

I review my bosses 4 times a year, and I know that corp office reads them because of some of the actions taken afterwards. I would think it would be a great chance for you to explain how you feel. Talk about being moved up prematurely I know how you feel, but I am sure my situation is not as hard as yours as I am just working a "college" job. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that you can get your feelings out on the paper, and that someone will take the time to actually read it.

[kaegea]

I agree with the folks who sugest caution.....and not responding to this will for sure reflect negatively on you. Also..you may not respect a person..but the position they are in does require you in any work situation to respect it and those in a positon superior to yours. Not doing so openly again; will only hurt you. You can not change your boss. Only your reactions and behaviors are under your control.
That being said...how do you respond??...I think you need to definitely point out her stong points. Make her weaknesses areas that you are looking for guidance in and expectations you have for your own development. State you need...X-Y-Z to grow and you realize it. Ask her boss to be sure you get it. That will tell the story...Her boss has a lot of work to do if you are not getting the personal development you deserve. That line of thinking will definitely evoke some observation by the big boss. Today's work world is one of leadership. Not one of mandating behaviors. You ability to positively articulate simeone else's weakness will highlight your intrapersonal abilities and may indicate you have leadership potential! Good luck!
Kaegea

[triplej2676]

thanks, ladies, for all of your suggestions... i appreciate it and i will let you know what happens!

[Seashell]

Reading threads like this makes me so happy :yahooo: -- that I could retire early. I was a legal secretary in mid-sized to large law firms for app. my last 20 working years. Sometimes the professional / corporate / administrative stuff you had to deal with . . . . A big UGH! Really not my thing. I was lucky though -- worked mostly for / with very nice attorneys.

[blondgrl]

I think I would first ask to see if each person in your department is also completing this type of evaluation on your supervisor. Sounds like you could get in a sticky situation which may even further reduce your communication and relationship with the current supervisor if you don't carefully word your responses (esp. if you are the only one asked to do this). I think I would openly ask the person who mentioned this to you if this is agency wide or just something they wanted you to do.

I had a supervisor once who I adored and learned tremendously from each day. She asked us to do evals on her each year and turn them in as we had our own evals. Was a time we could both use to improve and grow. But, this situation sounds much different.

Hard call, but I think if you choose to do this, I'd word your comments very carefully and very objective in the best way you can. At least this will show you are a team player and are trying to make the best out of a tense situation. Good luck to you!!!