**[HANDOUT 3 -- More than one boss?]{.underline}**

**Prevent 'I need it first' syndrome** **when assisting multiple
bosses** - Communication, organization help you stay on top of
priorities

Establishing a strong, smooth working relationship with one boss is
challenge enough. Add additional **bosses** to the equation, and you
have a seemingly insurmountable undertaking on your hands. Conflict-

ing priorities, difficult personalities and the "I need it first"
syndrome make for a very complex endeavor.

**Bottom line:** To be effective in dealing with **multiple**
**bosses**, you must remain honest, fair and forthright.

Setting priorities shouldn't be a matter of personalities, but of what's
best overall for the company.

Complex, yes, but not impossible. Consider the following suggestions:

• **Be in the know.** Stay up-to-date on current company initiatives and
priorities, and be familiar with your **bosses**' and department's
priorities. "The more

you know, the better off you'll be," says **Haydee** **Pujdak**, an
administrative assistant at **The McGraw-**

**Hill Companies**, New York. Pujdak works with the head of corporate
development, as well as the two managers who report directly to that
head. "Read everything that comes across your desk," Pujdak advises. "It
gives you a sense of what's going on and helps you understand the
priorities of different assignments."

• **Get organized.** One organizing strategy Pujdak finds of tremendous
value is keeping a binder with her at all times so she can write
instructions, reminders, ideas on how to tackle a certain task, and
anything else that comes to mind. You never know when a great idea will
hit you. "I think of ways of doing something in the strangest places,
like the elevator," she says. Pujdak also keeps a binder for each major
project. One such project was organizing a board meeting in London. She
was able to record all the details, such as keeping track of the
presenters, what hotels were in the area, etc. Then, once projects are
completed, she files the binders for future reference. "It helps me
reorganize quickly if I have to do it again," she says. Another way
Pujdak stays organized is by using the calendar and to-do list features
that accompany her e-mail program. If you're not using them already,
take advantage of the organization and time-management tools your
computer has to offer. A wall calendar or assignment tracking system can
do the trick as well.

• **Keep the lines of communication open.** When you work with
**bosses** in various departments or individuals with the "I need it
first" syndrome, open communication is especially important. Ask to meet

with your **bosses** as a group. Detail the areas in which priorities
and responsibilities are overlapping to clearly illustrate the problem.
Be ready with possible solutions. For example, suggest weekly meetings
on Monday mornings to discuss the schedule for the coming week. Another
option is to define priority levels and get agreement from everyone on
those levels.

• **Be flexible.** Continually reevaluate your workload and priorities
to keep up with the constant influx of new assignments and
responsibilities. Though working with **multiple bosses** can be a
challenge, it can also be a reward. You encounter a variety of
responsibilities and opportunities. "You learn so much," Pujdak says.
"There's no possible way to get bored."

\-\--adapted from www.dartnellcorp.com/NF%20sample.pdf