What you do if you know more than your Boss?

Guy Kawasaki in his book “The art of the start”, recommends hiring the right person for the job even if that person knows more than his superior; you will face situations in your career when you know you have the right solutions for your company’s problems only to face total rejection by your superior for your ideas.

Successful mangers must always be ready to listen to their employee’s suggestions and ideas, those employees are more aware of the daily issues facing the company or some employees may be even better skilled than their managers to tackle difficult issues.

In reality however, many CEOs and managers will be offended if a subordinate suggested a better solution. In my career I have worked with few managers who would refuse to listen. I felt deeply offended for a while, but later on I felt more confidence as I watched how these managers were really struggling to deal with issues I warned them about.

Abraham Lincoln, as I read in some history books, was known for hiring the right man for the job, even if that man happened to be his worst enemy.

If you are better skilled than your boss than you have two options:

1- Wait for the right time to introduce your idea or solution
2- Move on to a better company where your boss is more open to new ideas and suggestions

Just don’t feel bad because your solution was rejected, it doesn’t mean that the other person is better skilled than you are, it means he is not willing to listen or feel intimidated.

Many companies around the world are looking for the right skills, so if one company can not appreciate your skills move on some other companies will appreciate you.