What to do about my boss?

[jakeyt]

My boss is a director and I started working for him over a year ago. Most of the people I work with say they prefer to work with me over him as he seems all over the place without a clear sense of direction. In meetings people will start talking bad about him, but I'll jump to defend him and all that. When I get thrown under the bus, my boss doesn't defend me, but I'll stand up for both of us, point the other person wrong. He will then ask if I need to be "backed up". I've had a number of people ask if I "really" report to him, which I do and point out what a good x, y and z he is (never highlight he is a great supervisor).

A few months ago, my boss asked to take on one of my projects as he didn't have anything to do. I have no idea what he works on to be honest. He is suppose to work in a strategic position where he sets vision. When I ask him what the current vision is, he shrugs and asks me to come up with it. He sets processes for other folks to follow, but doesn't follow them himself. He also does not include the work my team or I am working on in his exec team meetings (some of the work has been identified as "substantial" by execs). I feel he needs stuff to do to stay busy and active.

He frequently cancels our one on ones when he is too busy. In short, I feel my boss is not really my supervisor but my competitor. What do I do about it? Start looking for another job?

He's very good at doing the motions. Like when I ask for help on something, he goes out to find someone else who can help. When they're aren't available, he'll just forward me the responses.

 

[CTLION]

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If you are unhappy move on. Life is too short to be bogged down in quicksand waiting for him to suck you down with him. Start looking but don't settle on a similar job. My career focus has always been to be picky.

You need two things to move your career forward.

#1 a better job title
#2 a better company with a national brand name

You can settle for one of the two but never take a job that doesn't upgrade you one way or the other.

My career path went like this-
Medical Sales Rep --> VP of Sales --> Regional Director for one of the top three healthcare companies in the world ---> VP of a niche company --> Director of Sales both national and international for one of the biggest healthcare companies in the world.

Some advanced my title and others advanced the prestige, but either way it was a move forward. I hope that makes sense. There are two ways to advance your career...build it at one company or advance by the method of methodically advancing your resume.

I hope that helps.

 

[Khayembii Communique]

How do his higher-ups feel about him?

 

[jakeyt]

Not sure. He only has one. I never asked nor do I talk about him behind his back.