By: Stan Popovich
Working with a difficult boss is a situation many people will face in their career. While dealing with a challenging manager can present difficulties, quitting your job is not always the answer. There are several ways you might handle a challenging work situation while still remaining professional.
Signs That You Have a Difficult Boss
• They don’t care if you are overworked
• They lose control on a regular basis
• Your manager takes credit for your work
• Your boss doesn’t empower you
• Your bad boss doesn’t advocate for you
• You have a micromanager
• They choose favorites in the office
• Your manager does not like you
• Ignores workplace conflicts
How To Deal with a Difficult Supervisor
Sometimes, when dealing with a difficult boss, an employee chooses to quit and find another job. However, it’s important to know that in many cases it’s possible to stay in the workplace and learn how to work through a challenging situation.
The following are tips you might consider when dealing with a demanding boss:
1. Don’t take it personally: It’s tough to deal with a difficult boss, however, don’t take it personally. It’s work, and while the situation can be tough, it can be harder if it creates negative emotions. Be aware of how the behavior affects you emotionally and manage your emotions to maintain energy and reduce stress.
2. Communicate effectively: Effective communication means you share your concerns and you and your boss understand one another. Be clear about your expectations and be willing to compromise when appropriate to maintain a good working relationship.
Making sure you know your manager’s communication styles can help you communicate better. If your manager prefers concise emails rather than face-to-face discussions, then do what is possible. The better you understand your manager, the better your relationship will be.
3. Show that you care: Don’t let your boss’s behavior affect your work. Avoid trying to get back at your boss by slacking off. Don’t produce low-quality work out of spite or frustration. Your boss may notice, and it may hurt your reputation of being a hard worker.
If you have a difficult boss, try doing some extra work to show that you are a good and dependable employee. A few extra hours of work during the week could impress your manager and could improve relations. Many managers like employees who go the extra mile.
Think of things you can do to help your supervisor and take the time to determine if there’s anything you can do to help them save the company time or money.
4. Choose your words carefully: It’s important to remain tactful and choose your words when interacting with a difficult supervisor. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time or being disrespectful may increase the tension between you and your manager. Ensure you are staying results-oriented in your conversations.
5. Focus on your boss’s interests: Show interest in what your manager likes to do. Make the effort to ask your manager how their weekend was, what their interests are and how they like to spend their time. This allows you to build a personal relationship with them and connect on a level that doesn’t involve work.
6. Take responsibility where appropriate: You cannot change someone else’s behavior. But you can control your own. Once you assess the situation, you may see things you can change in your work to improve the situation. If you’re not meeting your boss’s expectations or standards, there may be an opportunity to improve or adjust.
Maintain a calm and professional way while dealing with your manager. Don’t get into arguments and lose your temper. Be straightforward and professional.
7. Reduce any potential problems: It is important to make sure you reduce any potential issues that might occur between you and your manager. Make sure you meet your deadlines and talk to your manager if you have any questions about your performance. Doing these things will help prevent future business conflicts.
8. Don’t rush to conclusions: Do not be quick to make judgements about your boss. Give it a month or two to see what happens before you do anything. It takes some time to adjust to changes that take place at your job.
When You Need to Change Jobs
You can talk to a career counselor for advice on what you can do. He or she can give you different ways to handle the situation. Do not be quick to make any decisions that could cause problems for you down the road.
If the problem does not get better, ask for a transfer to another department. If all else fails, look for a new job. You will want to conduct your job search secretly and it is important not tell your coworkers what your plans are.
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