Revolutionary question of the day – which I was asked, and am passing on: do I work for my boss, or does she work for me?
And, as a corollary, does my team work for me or do I work for my team?
What’s the difference? Here’s one example:
If the person who owns all the data and metrics on my team works for me, then I tell her: “you need to take ownership of operations, of making sure everyone is doing what they need to do.”
But if I work for her, then I say to her, “OK, you’re the boss. That means you’re THE person responsible for us reaching our goals. I work for you, and all of us work for you. Tell us what to do. Go.”
Different conversation. Different outcome.
(p.s. nothing special about “data and metrics.” I could have said “website” or “PR” or “brand manager” or just about anything short of the person we all pretend is in charge.)