Permission to leave early

A new employee quickly realized their boss was a control freak – nothing went out without approval.

One day, they asked, “Can I leave five minutes early?”

The boss responded with a detailed questionnaire: Purpose? Impact analysis? Senior approvals? Backup plan?

The employee dutifully completed it, got all the signatures and submitted it.

A week later, the boss approved.

Too bad it was for last Tuesday.

Have you ever walked into a meeting ready to share your well-thought-out ideas, only to have your boss cut you off before you even finish your first sentence? Or perhaps you’ve had a leader who fills the room with excitement, constantly throwing out new ideas – so many that you can barely keep up?

Maybe you’ve worked under a manager who avoids tough conversations, keeping things “calm” but leaving you blindsided by last-minute changes.

Leadership comes in many forms, and understanding your boss’s style can be the difference between daily frustration and professional growth.

Every leader has a way of making decisions, giving feedback and motivating people. Some are driven by results, others by relationships.

Some move fast, others tread carefully. The challenge isn’t just figuring out which type of leader you have – it’s learning how to work with them effectively.

The fast-moving, efficiency-obsessed leader

Some leaders believe that efficiency trumps everything else. They move fast, set ambitious goals and expect everyone to keep up.  Conversations with them are brief and direct – no unnecessary small talk, no time wasted.

If you’ve ever received a two-word email response that felt more like a command than a message, you probably know the type. They don’t always stop to check how everyone thinks about the plan, but they believe their leadership is a form of commitment – pushing the team toward success. Don’t expect hand-holding or long-winded praise if you work with this kind of leader. Instead, focus on being prepared, backing your ideas with data and getting straight to the point. Efficiency is their love language.

The enthusiastic, big-idea leader

Then, some leaders thrive on energy, enthusiasm and big ideas. They love connecting people, keeping the momentum going and creating a sense of workplace excitement.

Their meetings feel more like brainstorming sessions than structured discussions and their optimism is contagious. But that same enthusiasm can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when priorities shift by the hour. You might leave a meeting with five new projects on your plate – only to have three changes by the week’s end. If this sounds familiar, the best approach is to gently steer the conversation back to what’s achievable. Keeping them focused isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary if you want to turn their vision into reality.

The supportive, people-first leader

Some leaders take a completely different approach – centered on patience, listening and emotional support. They want their team members to feel seen and heard, creating an environment where people feel safe voicing their concerns. Working for this kind of boss can be refreshing, especially in high-stress industries. But while their support is genuine, their reluctance to make tough decisions can slow things down. You might find yourself stuck in endless discussions without clear action steps or discovering critical information only at the last minute because they didn’t want to disrupt the team.

The key to working with this kind of leader is to take the initiative – proactively asking for updates, offering solutions and reassuring them that you can handle responsibilities independently.

The detail-oriented, process-driven leader

And then, of course, there are the detail-oriented leaders who thrive on structure, organization and precision. They care about accuracy, systems and ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine.

If you’ve ever had a boss who required multiple approvals for a simple task or sent you pages of documentation when you just needed a quick answer, you’ve met one. They aren’t trying to slow you down; they believe the best way to avoid mistakes is through careful planning and strict processes. If you’re working under this kind of leader, be clear on expectations. Ask them what specific criteria they’re looking for and frame your ideas as improvements to existing structures rather than complete overhauls.

They are cautious by nature, but once they trust your approach, they can be some of the most reliable leaders to work with.

Adapting to your boss’s leadership style

Regardless of what kind of boss you have, the reality is that no leadership style is perfect. Each comes with strengths and weaknesses. The trick isn’t to wish for a different kind of leader but to adapt, communicate and find ways to work effectively within their style. Some leaders will challenge you, others will inspire you and a few may frustrate you – but all of them will teach you something.

If you want permission to leave earlier today, you know what to do.

***

Unlock your potential and propel your career forward at Level Up Leadership – The Excellence Advantage workshop seminar on April 8 at Rockwell Club, Makati. Reserve your seat now. Contact April at 0928-559-1798 or Savee at 0917-533-6817. Visit www.levelupleadership.ph for details. Limited seats available.