When Your Boss Has a Hard Time Meeting Deadlines

"Bosses who have a hard time meeting deadlines sometimes have a laissez-faire leadership style. While there are benefits to working for someone who is happy to go with the flow, this can also cause a lot of uncertainty and discomfort at work. In this environment, everyone often scrambles at the last minute to meet agreements, and there's usually one crisis after another. Without clearly defining who's to do what by when, these bosses cause the office to be plagued with confusion."

"While people often complain about bosses who are mean, just as troublesome are managers who are too nice-so nice that they are reluctant to issue orders. It is difficult to tell pleasant, friendly managers that their unsystematic methods are resulting in problems. But if you do not want to be exhausted by putting out daily fires, that is what you have to do-tactfully and professionally."

Easygoing, laissez-faire managers often fail to set clear deadlines, priorities, and responsibilities, producing uncertainty and frequent crises. Team members scramble at the last minute to meet commitments because accountability is undefined. Friendly managers may resist issuing orders, making it difficult to point out the resulting inefficiency without hurting feelings. Workers grow exhausted from constantly putting out fires and need clear directives and delegation. A respectful, direct approach is recommended: prepare a timesheet or concrete evidence of missed deadlines, offer constructive suggestions while honoring the manager's role, and volunteer to take the lead to establish order and priorities for the staff.

Read at Psychology Today