Improving workplace relationships with an emotionally distant manager

¶ … Boss

Lacking the 'human touch'

What do to do about a boss who does not understand how to relate to other people within the organization on a human level? On one hand, someone might note that being concerned with technology over humanity never impeded the success of the famously reclusive Bill Gates. However, Microsoft is widely praised as an organization for its charitable giving, its generous policies towards its employees, and its diverse workforce. To create a healthier working environment it is necessary to persuade the boss to make a change, so that employees who make a contribution to the organization feel recognized. On a very basic level, one can broach the subject cautiously but directly, first making a personal connection with the boss himself, perhaps drawing upon the boss' main interest, such as noting that 'we need to take into consideration the human implications of technology when building this new system.'

Another possibility is first discussing personal issues that interest the boss, to encourage him or her to 'open up' about personal matters. Does the boss have a favorite sports team? Is he or she installing some sort of new home improvement device or planning a vacation? Use this to draw him or her out about human matters, and then use this touching-off point to humanize the employees working for the organization, and address the need to recognize employee accomplishments and remedy employee personal concerns.