By: Stan Popovich
Do you get along with your supervisor?
It can be very challenging when you have trouble working with your manager.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can handle a difficult work situation without having to quit your job.
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 boss doesn’t advocate for you
• You have a micromanager
• They choose favorites in the office
• Your manager does not like you
• They ignore workplace conflicts
How To Deal with a Difficult Supervisor
An employee may choose to quit and find another job when dealing with a difficult boss. However, it’s important to know that 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. Understand their perspective: Take the time to delve deeply into your boss’s perspective. Consider their background, upbringing, career trajectory and personal experiences that may shape their approach to leadership. Understanding the context in which your boss operates can provide valuable insight into their motivations and decision-making processes.
2. 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.
3. Communicate effectively: Effective communication means that 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.
Know your manager’s communication styles, which can help you to 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.
4. Choose your words carefully: While expressing honesty and being open in the workplace is essential, it’s also important to remain tactful and choose your words thoughtfully when interacting with a difficult supervisor. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, being disrespectful, or being perceived as disrespectful may increase the tension between you and your manager.
One way to ensure that you are speaking with your boss in a professional manner is to ensure you are staying results-oriented in your conversations. This means that rather than focusing on their personality or the problems in your relationship, you are focusing on talking about work that will help you achieve your goals.
5. Show that you care: Don’t let your manager’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 as a hard worker.
If you have a difficult manager, 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 supervisors 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.
6. 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 stay results-oriented in your conversations.
7. Focus on your supervisor’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 to a level that doesn’t involve work.
8. 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 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 manner while dealing with your manager. Don’t get into arguments and lose your temper. Be straightforward and professional.
9. Reduce any potential problems: It is important to 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 conflicts.
10. 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 Have 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. People change departments all of the time for various reasons. Make sure you always remain professional. If all else fails, look for a new job. The best solution is to look for another job while you’re still employed.
Beef up your résumé, contact headhunters, line up references, and start interviewing. You will want to conduct your job search in private, and it is important not to tell your coworkers what your plans are.
Like What You Read?
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