A difficult boss is a challenge for anyone but there are ways to handle the situation. Your boss may be a micromanager, racist, sexist, a bully or plays favorite or worse all the above. Try the following tips and hopefully they will help you with the situation:
Step 1:
Analyze your actions
Make an honest analysis of your work, has your job performance declined when the "dreadful" boss came into the picture? Have you been slacking? If you have, try re-focusing on the projects at hand, and see if there are any changes in the boss's behavior.
Step 2:
Make a list of the boss's bad behavior
Try to keep a journal of all the behaviors that you might think are unethical, unprofessional, or abusive. Just jot down the facts, not your reactions to the events.
Step 3:
Find a mentor
If you love the company but can't deal with your bad boss, another solution could be to develop a mentoring relationship with another supervisor in another department of the company.
Step 4:
Report to HumanResources
A last resort is reporting the bad actions of your boss to Human Resources. This can have either positive or negative reactions. Human Resources would do something about the situation or in the worst-case scenario you could be branded as a complainer and the tension between you and your boss could be higher.
Step 5:
Don't take it
If your boss has a difficult management style-it doesn't mean you have to take it, respond with professionalism.
Step 6:
Know when its too much
If your boss's behavior makes you feel bad, then the abuse becomes more of a serious problem. Sometimes scheduling a meeting with your boss can be effective, talk to them about the issues and see if you can find a middle-ground. l If the bullying has had a prolonged effect in your health and personal life, and all your vacation and sick days have been used up to take a break from work, it is time to get out.
Step 7:
Don't sacrifice your health
The worst thing that you can do- is do nothing. The reality is problems do not resolve themselves. No job, boss or company is worth losing your health or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve the issue and your boss will never change their behavior, you should start working your network and begin looking for a new job. Try if possible not to quit before having something lined up.
Step 8:
Take control
Even after you leave your abusive boss you might still have to explain why you left or leaving in the middle of an interview. Try to control the interview the best you can. Do not list your boss as a reference; instead try a former co-worker, who has worked with you.
If your boss's behavior makes you feel bad, then the abuse becomes more of a serious problem. Sometimes scheduling a meeting with your boss can be effective, talk to them about the issues and see if you can find a middle-ground. If the bullying has had a prolonged effect in your health and personal life, and all your vacation and sick days have been used up to take a break from work, it is time to get out.
Step 9:
Don't sacrifice your health
The worst thing that you can do is do nothing. The reality is problems do not resolve themselves. No job, boss or company is worth losing your health or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve the issue and your boss will never change their behavior, you should start working your network and begin looking for a new job. Try if possible not to quit before having something lined up.
It takes two to tango… Maybe you’re the boss, and have a difficult employee. Any chance they think you’re behaving badly? You might be as nice as cherry pie, but if you’ve been cast as the wicked witch, you’re going to clash and clash and clash some more until you get a little mutual understanding going on.
The Bland Boss
Step 1:
Analyze your actions
Make an honest analysis of your work, has your job performance declined when the "dreadful" boss came into the picture? Have you been slacking? If you have, try re-focusing on the projects at hand, and see if there are any changes in the boss's behavior.
Step 2:
Make a list of the boss's bad behavior
Try to keep a journal of all the behaviors that you might think are unethical, unprofessional, or abusive. Just jot down the facts, not your reactions to the events.
Step 3:
Find a mentor
If you love the company but can't deal with your bad boss, another solution could be to develop a mentoring relationship with another supervisor in another department of the company.
Step 4:
Report to Human
A last resort is reporting the bad actions of your boss to Human Resources. This can have either positive or negative reactions. Human Resources would do something about the situation or in the worst-case scenario you could be branded as a complainer and the tension between you and your boss could be higher.
Step 5:
Don't take it
If your boss has a difficult management style-it doesn't mean you have to take it, respond with professionalism.
If your boss insults or put you down, respond calmly that putting you down or insulting you doesn't resolve the problem, and that there is a better way to deal with the situation.
Or if your boss is a micromanaging type that breathes down your neck, try explaining to him that you are uncomfortable when someone is micromanaging you. Most times the person will step back.
Or if your boss is a micromanaging type that breathes down your neck, try explaining to him that you are uncomfortable when someone is micromanaging you. Most times the person will step back.
Step 6:
Know when its too much
If your boss's behavior makes you feel bad, then the abuse becomes more of a serious problem. Sometimes scheduling a meeting with your boss can be effective, talk to them about the issues and see if you can find a middle-ground. l If the bullying has had a prolonged effect in your health and personal life, and all your vacation and sick days have been used up to take a break from work, it is time to get out.
Step 7:
Don't sacrifice your health
The worst thing that you can do- is do nothing. The reality is problems do not resolve themselves. No job, boss or company is worth losing your health or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve the issue and your boss will never change their behavior, you should start working your network and begin looking for a new job. Try if possible not to quit before having something lined up.
Step 8:
Take control
Even after you leave your abusive boss you might still have to explain why you left or leaving in the middle of an interview. Try to control the interview the best you can. Do not list your boss as a reference; instead try a former co-worker, who has worked with you.
If your boss's behavior makes you feel bad, then the abuse becomes more of a serious problem. Sometimes scheduling a meeting with your boss can be effective, talk to them about the issues and see if you can find a middle-ground. If the bullying has had a prolonged effect in your health and personal life, and all your vacation and sick days have been used up to take a break from work, it is time to get out.
Step 9:
Don't sacrifice your health
The worst thing that you can do is do nothing. The reality is problems do not resolve themselves. No job, boss or company is worth losing your health or self-esteem. If you can't find a way to resolve the issue and your boss will never change their behavior, you should start working your network and begin looking for a new job. Try if possible not to quit before having something lined up.
It takes two to tango… Maybe you’re the boss, and have a difficult employee. Any chance they think you’re behaving badly? You might be as nice as cherry pie, but if you’ve been cast as the wicked witch, you’re going to clash and clash and clash some more until you get a little mutual understanding going on.
It is possible to be a great person and a bad boss. They key to a successful working relationship, is to separate the behaviour from the person. Is the bad behaviour temporary due to over-work or personal stress, or due to something as simple as lack of management skills. Being sensitive to the underlying reasons means your boss can save face and improve their behaviour appropriately.
Here are 7 of the usual bad management suspects…….
The Bland Boss
A bland boss is as much use as a chocolate fireguard! They usually avoid risk or conflict at all cost, are vague and flit between decisions.
First off, you need to notice which situations trigger their bland or weak behaviour. If they regularly avoid conflict, they may need to be liked by everyone, so take someone else into combat with you or maybe get their boss to assume a greater leadership role.
If they are vague and provide little direction, it may be they’re lacking management skills and don’t realise that’s their job. Often unskilled or inexperienced managers are uncomfortable telling someone what to do. Train your manager by being clear about the direction you need to do your job, making sure they commit it to writing, so you both know what’s agreed.
First off, you need to notice which situations trigger their bland or weak behaviour. If they regularly avoid conflict, they may need to be liked by everyone, so take someone else into combat with you or maybe get their boss to assume a greater leadership role.
If they are vague and provide little direction, it may be they’re lacking management skills and don’t realise that’s their job. Often unskilled or inexperienced managers are uncomfortable telling someone what to do. Train your manager by being clear about the direction you need to do your job, making sure they commit it to writing, so you both know what’s agreed.
The Grunt Boss
The grunt has no original thought, drive or ambition. In fact, two short planks of wood’d make a better boss.
You’ve got a fantastic idea, which you’ve researched and know will work, and take it to your grunt boss to agree how to implement it. Bad idea. At best they’ll tell you why it won’t work, at worst they’ll just not have the brain power to comprehend something new. The best way to manage a grunt is to let them stick to what they know, and wait patiently for the next round of down-sizing and wave them off the premises.
You’ve got a fantastic idea, which you’ve researched and know will work, and take it to your grunt boss to agree how to implement it. Bad idea. At best they’ll tell you why it won’t work, at worst they’ll just not have the brain power to comprehend something new. The best way to manage a grunt is to let them stick to what they know, and wait patiently for the next round of down-sizing and wave them off the premises.
The Control-Freak Boss
The controlling manager barely lets you cough in a meeting let alone say something original or creative. You’re being managed at such an itty bitty level of detail you feel like a single cell specimen under a microscope. Anything that doesn’t conform is changed or rejected. Eventually you suffer from learned helplessness, the inability to think or function for yourself.
What's driving this behaviour? Usually it’s anxiety about failing or making mistakes, and micro-managing tasks gives them a reassuring feeling that the correct steps are being taken. Provide that reassurance by detailing the steps you’ve taken, who’ve you’ve spoken to and how you’ve assessed and addressed any risks.
What's driving this behaviour? Usually it’s anxiety about failing or making mistakes, and micro-managing tasks gives them a reassuring feeling that the correct steps are being taken. Provide that reassurance by detailing the steps you’ve taken, who’ve you’ve spoken to and how you’ve assessed and addressed any risks.
The Politician Boss
The political manager is a self-interested self-promoter, and generates more spin than a flywheel. You can trust them about as far as you can throw them.
Politicians are often easy to upwardly manage. Get their support by emphasising how good they’ll look to their seniors, Avoid being a potential scapegoat, by getting public written support for anything risky or controversial. Politicians often play favourites, so enjoy it while it lasts, and don’t take it personally when you’re dropped.
Politicians are often easy to upwardly manage. Get their support by emphasising how good they’ll look to their seniors, Avoid being a potential scapegoat, by getting public written support for anything risky or controversial. Politicians often play favourites, so enjoy it while it lasts, and don’t take it personally when you’re dropped.
The Absent Manager
When your main conversation with your boss is a hurried chat masquerading as an annual appraisal, you could say you’ve got an absent manager. No manager may be better than an absent manager.
The absent manager goes missing in action, traveling across the globe, or is just plain busy. The secret is getting on their radar by getting in their diary. Establish a routine for communication, and stick to it. Maximise face time, by preparing thoroughly beforehand. Think and talk in headlines, summing up what decisions they need to make, or direction they need to give and get out. It might take more effort on your part, but your manager will respect you for it.
The absent manager goes missing in action, traveling across the globe, or is just plain busy. The secret is getting on their radar by getting in their diary. Establish a routine for communication, and stick to it. Maximise face time, by preparing thoroughly beforehand. Think and talk in headlines, summing up what decisions they need to make, or direction they need to give and get out. It might take more effort on your part, but your manager will respect you for it.
The Whip-Cracker Boss
The whip-cracker knows when you’re goofing off. The whip-cracker knows when you’re just thinking about goofing off. The whip-cracker doesn’t sleep, drink or pee. Or have a life.
And they don’t expect you to have a life either. Or be human.
It’s useful to take a long term view with a whip-cracker. Is there some major deadline looming that explains the behaviour? Or does lightening up scare them to death? Decide how many extra miles you are prepared to go, and how often, and live with it.
And they don’t expect you to have a life either. Or be human.
It’s useful to take a long term view with a whip-cracker. Is there some major deadline looming that explains the behaviour? Or does lightening up scare them to death? Decide how many extra miles you are prepared to go, and how often, and live with it.
The Spiteful Manager
In its extreme mutation, the spiteful manager is a bully. The bully’s raison d’etre is to belittle people for pleasure. A bully is the nasty and ruthless wicked witch (or wizard!)
Have a look around – is your manager singling you out or are there other victims? If you’re the unlucky one, maybe your styles clash – you’re need for detailed direction is perceived as clingy neediness – so consider changing your approach. Or it may be that the manager just doesn’t get the subtleties of interpersonal communication and has a miniscule emotional IQ. Then at least you know it’s not personal!
Take a look at this bullying article and find out how to beat the bully.
Regardless of which type of management style your boss has, the best way to change their behaviour is to talk to them. Giving effective feedback, at least makes them aware of their behaviour, its impact on you, and more importantly how you would prefer them to behave. With time and luck, the boss’s behaviour will improve, but if not, you’ve got two choices. Maybe everything else in your work and life is good enough for you to grin and bear it or do what many people do - quit your boss and move on.
This is a normal and I'd say, this is a situation which is still in control. In this situation be assured some-one or other always there to hear you. (HR, always is there to listen you).
But, Imagine the situation, you're doing contractural job. "Your Boss is King " . What you gonna do in that sitaution. Situation is even worst, if you love your job and you're in need to this job. We'll discuss about that in my next blog.
Also read more:
1. Gain your self confidence:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-get-self-confidence-back.html
2. Gain your Self Esteem:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/low-self-esteem-get-it-high.html
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/generate-self-esteem.html
3. Selfish By Nature: Whom to Blame:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/09/selfish-by-nature-whom-to-blame.html
4. Avoid :"Worst Office manners; that irritates Bosses"
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-worst-office-manners-which-irritate.html
5. Dealing with Bad Bosses:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/07/dealing-with-bad-boss.html
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/07/dealing-with-bad-boss.html
6. Decode Dylexia
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/04/dyslexia-decoded.html
Read more: How to Deal with a Difficult Boss
http://www.ehow.com/how_2173855_deal-difficult-boss.html#ixzz0wSWLPc5d
Have a look around – is your manager singling you out or are there other victims? If you’re the unlucky one, maybe your styles clash – you’re need for detailed direction is perceived as clingy neediness – so consider changing your approach. Or it may be that the manager just doesn’t get the subtleties of interpersonal communication and has a miniscule emotional IQ. Then at least you know it’s not personal!
Take a look at this bullying article and find out how to beat the bully.
Regardless of which type of management style your boss has, the best way to change their behaviour is to talk to them. Giving effective feedback, at least makes them aware of their behaviour, its impact on you, and more importantly how you would prefer them to behave. With time and luck, the boss’s behaviour will improve, but if not, you’ve got two choices. Maybe everything else in your work and life is good enough for you to grin and bear it or do what many people do - quit your boss and move on.
This is a normal and I'd say, this is a situation which is still in control. In this situation be assured some-one or other always there to hear you. (HR, always is there to listen you).
But, Imagine the situation, you're doing contractural job. "Your Boss is King " . What you gonna do in that sitaution. Situation is even worst, if you love your job and you're in need to this job. We'll discuss about that in my next blog.
Also read more:
1. Gain your self confidence:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-get-self-confidence-back.html
2. Gain your Self Esteem:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/low-self-esteem-get-it-high.html
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/08/generate-self-esteem.html
3. Selfish By Nature: Whom to Blame:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/09/selfish-by-nature-whom-to-blame.html
4. Avoid :"Worst Office manners; that irritates Bosses"
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-worst-office-manners-which-irritate.html
5. Dealing with Bad Bosses:
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/07/dealing-with-bad-boss.html
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/07/dealing-with-bad-boss.html
6. Decode Dylexia
http://journeyallover.blogspot.com/2010/04/dyslexia-decoded.html
Read more: How to Deal with a Difficult Boss
http://www.ehow.com/how_2173855_deal-difficult-boss.html#ixzz0wSWLPc5d
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