Most Employees Believe They Can Outperform Their Bosses

Two-thirds of executives also say they would like to replace their bosses one day, according to a new survey.

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Is life easier in the corner office? Most employees seem to think so.

Seventy-three percent of executive-level employees believe they would do a better job than their current boss, according to a new survey.

The executive quiz, conducted by Korn/Ferry, a Los Angeles-based talent-management firm, also found that more than two-thirds of respondents would like to one day takeover their bosses' jobs. Korn/Ferry surveyed 2,996 executives, though not all participants responded to every question.

"We've all been there," said Joe Griesedieck, vice chairman of Korn/Ferry International. "We look at our boss and think we can do that."

However, Griesedieck said employees should also be careful what they wish for. "We're in a day where it's tougher to be the CEO," he said. "People who aren't in the pressure cooker always view the job more highly."

While a majority of executives admitted they would like to be at the top of the ladder, few indicated that they were actually dissatisfied with their boss. In fact, 42 percent of respondents rated their boss's performance as either "excellent" or "above average," while an additional 23 percent rated their boss as "average." Only 11 percent of respondents rated their boss's performance as "poor."

Whether or not respondents trusted their boss also did not correlate. The survey found that 66 percent of executives trust their boss, compared to just 34 percent who said they do not.

For bosses, the survey results may serve an indication that employees feel they aren't being utilized to their full potential, according to Griesedieck. "It's really about recognition, and feeling like the boss is doing something to make sure you are developing in your job," he said.

As for employees, Griesedieck stressed the importance of regularly checking in with your superior, so that he or she is aware of your accomplishments.

"The challenge for management these days is really in the care and feeding of your best talent," he says.