What do you do if your boss constantly undermines your work?

If your boss constantly undermines your work, it's important to first assess the intent behind their actions. Determine whether it's due to miscommunication, a difference in work style, or possibly a personal issue. Sometimes, the undermining may be unintentional, with your boss unaware of the impact of their actions. In other cases, it could be a deliberate attempt to assert dominance. Understanding the underlying reason is key to formulating a strategy that addresses the issue effectively and maintains professionalism.

I had a seasoned colleague once share, "When the truth is revealed, will your character match your undermined work? You've got to keep your integrity if/when you think no one is looking, because they are looking from far away." It takes a stronger person to stay professional and keep integrity through the adversity, even if that person will (or will never) be held accountable for being unprofessional. And the best part? You'll be able to say that you stayed professional. You modeled true leadership. Your colleagues and administration/managers will never forget it because they, indeed, were watching. Stay professional to (and through) the end.

When feeling undermined by your boss, maintaining professionalism is crucial. Responding emotionally can worsen the situation and impact your reputation negatively. Always keep interactions respectful and work-focused. It's beneficial to document instances of being undermined, including dates, times, and the context. This documentation can prove invaluable if the situation escalates to human resources or during performance evaluations, providing a factual basis for discussing the issues at hand.

Keeping a record is also useful for your own perspective. Sometimes when you look back on notes of an issue you realise that there was not much to it. I have certainly found this. Other times a reasonable pattern will be evident and this will help to guide your next move.

Initiating a calm, open dialogue with your boss is a constructive way to address feelings of being undermined. Request a private meeting to discuss your experiences and express your commitment to enhancing your contributions to the team. Use non-confrontational language and "I feel" statements to describe how specific actions affect your work. This approach minimizes defensiveness and can foster a more collaborative and understanding relationship, potentially resolving misunderstandings effectively.

Accept the feedback, start saying No to everything. His expectations are rising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .