Not everyone is lucky enough to work for a good boss they can respect and learn from. What should you do if your boss is less able or has lower skills than you? This was the topic of a recent article by Amy Gallo, popular author of management tips on the Harvard Business Review website. She advises remaining calm. Even a bad boss can teach you a lot.
Start by honestly answering the question of whether your boss is really incompetent. S/he may lack some of your skills but excel in others. A good manager doesn't have to be a good specialist. If, after careful consideration, you still conclude that you are smarter and more capable than your boss, look at the following recommendations.
Rather remain silent
Think twice about who you will talk with about your finding. Resist the temptation to complain to your boss's superiors or to recommend yourself to your boss as a suitable successor. This would probably turn against you. The same may happen if you complain to your colleagues: your boss will probably find out and you will lose her/his trust. A direct confrontation with your boss is very tricky too.
Concentrate on your job
Don't waste time discussing what other people should do. Instead, focus on your own responsibilities and demonstrate that you can do your job well. Focus on the broader context of your work rather than just the relationship with your boss. Seek a deeper purpose and do what is good for the company. If you can't learn anything new from your boss, take your development into your own hands: decide what you want to improve and volunteer for projects that will enable you to do so.
Help your boss
You have no reason to refuse helping your superior. If s/he is successful, you will probably be successful too. Find a way to help the boss see contexts s/he can't see. Asking questions as a distraction from excessive detail can be very effective. If your boss doesn't understand the technical details of your work, arrange a meeting to explain everything.
Find something you can respect
Even a bad boss may have qualities you don't see. If you can't find anything work-related, try to learn something about her/his private life. S/he may, for instance, be a good parent, friend, athlete etc. If you can't find anything at all in your boss to respect, you should think seriously about whether you want to continue working for such a person.
Do not cover up for your boss's mistakes
Doing what is expected of you is one thing. Something else is covering up for serious and repeated mistakes made by your supervisor. If your work is being used to hide your boss's mistakes, it is time to contact HR.
-kk-