There is a funny sketch set which in an office where the boss is deluded. (Stay with me!) They think that they are invisible and cause disruption by pretending bags are floating, trip people up, move things such as tables and chairs and are just generally annoying. They then reappear and act completely normal. No-one says anything because they are the boss. They just suck up what is a truly ridiculous situation. The sketch is beautifully executed and very funny.

However watching it triggers 2 questions, how much of a boss being present (visible) is useful? and how much do bosses not receive the feedback that is needed? How many people are sitting with frustration in this moment, because they don’t feel they can voice that what the boss is doing is not serving their team? How much could the boss benefit from truly hearing what their team is thinking and feeling?

How much is a visible vs invisible boss helpful? The boss that is visible but over-intrusive, micro-managing & glory-seeking can be a negative influence, while a visible boss who is approachable, supportive and shining the light on their teams can help folks reach their potential and be recognised. Conversely an invisible boss who is not present, not engaged nor bothered can be soul-destroying, while an invisible boss who is just giving autonomy and space to a team is giving them the space to learn and maybe fly onto better things. Again, how to find the right level of visibility based on what the team needs at that moment is somewhat of an art form.

It made me wonder about my own experiences and actions? How many times have occurred when folks have not dared to say something? The answer is inevitably,some. It would be unrealistic to think otherwise. How many times have I got the balance of invisible vs visible out of sync?. Definitely some reflection for the days ahead!..