Never underrate the boss! The boss may look illiterate. He may look stupid. But there is no risk at all in overrating a boss. If you underrate him he will bitterly resent it or impute to you the deficiency in brains and knowledge you imputed to him. -- Managing for the Future: The 1990's and Beyond (1992)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Always assume your boss is competent; underestimating them risks resentment and conflict.
- In plain terms
- Don't judge your boss as stupid or you will face backlash.
- What can you take from it?
- Give your boss the benefit of the doubt to avoid conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What might you be missing about your boss?
- How does judgment affect your work?
Another view
Some bosses may indeed lack capability and need oversight.
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