Many times a previous boss used me as a sounding board ... I like to think we take care of the small details so they can stay big picture.
I completely agree with this and have also been in this position with several bosses I have worked for, and it is fantastic when it is like this ...
... BUT I have worked for several bosses who are as Becky described and what they actually pay my salary for is to provide high quality administrative support to enable their office to run smoothly - so as you say they can stay big picture. I don't tell them how to do their job and I expect the courtesy of being allowed to do mine to the highest standard.
The best bosses I have worked for have started our working relationship with letting me know their general preferences (whether it be travel, meeting time of day, etc) and then told me specifics for that item so I can go away and return to them with an itinerary/event plan to approve. This is the way I work best and it gives them better value for money.
Sitting waiting for someone to deliberate about their 'ideal' is a waste of both our times - since we don't even know if their 'ideal' is available. I shouldn't be encouraging my boss to be inefficient in this way ... and waste company money.
The way I would deal with a small child is basically patient consistency and good directed guidance - and in the past this approach has made the difference for boss' I worked for between them being mediocre and not making promotion and them adopting better management styles and getting fast-tracked.
... it isn't about embarrassing them it is about educating them ...
