Dealing with a difficult boss at work

Retail, corporate, finance, tech, wherever you are, a difficult boss or manager can make your work life quite a lot difficult. Did you know that more people leave jobs due to bad managers than a poor salary? I saw this topic being discussed all over LinkedIn lately and thought of writing this article to help anyone dealing with a difficult coworker or manager.

Identify the cause of the matter

Your boss’s behavior has roots somewhere, be it stress, insecurity, or lack of skills. Certain personality traits too can make someone difficult to work with. Take a step back from the situation and determine why you perceive your boss as difficult. There could be a myriad of reasons such as them not using a communication style you are comfortable with, certain phrases they unknowingly use that trigger you, or simply their management style. If you want to handle things better from your side, you should identify the root cause behind their actions. Then, you can focus on not taking things personally and communicating in a way they understand.

Set clear boundaries

Boundaries are important for you as a professional. Setting clear expectations and boundaries with your manager can help you create a better relationship. Communicate what you can and cannot do clearly with your manager. Let them understand when you need to work independently and when you need support. Your manager and you should have a clear understanding of when you need feedback, resources, and support so that you can perform better as a team.

Focus on the results

Instead of thinking about assigning blame, you should focus on ways to resolve the problems you have and how to deliver results. This way, you can stay out of arguments and conflicts with your boss and still deliver good ideas and suggestions that can get your issues fixed. If you are working remotely, your boss may wonder whether the work is getting done at all, which is a natural thing. You can propose using task sheets and daily updates to inform them of the status of projects. Learn to acknowledge projects as they are delegated to you. Make a habit of following up on your projects to know if your boss is satisfied with the work. You also need to improve your work until you both are satisfied with the outcome.

Be open for support

If you are dealing with a difficult boss at work, you may not be the only one feeling the same way. Your coworkers and mentors too could be having the same problem. They can support you tremendously by sharing tips to create a better relationship with your boss. Other people’s experiences can bring in different perspectives that you haven’t considered before. But be sure to not cross lines when you are getting support from coworkers. Always ensure that you are seeking guidance, not starting gossip.

Take care of yourself

Your physical and mental well-being can take a toll when things go wrong in the workplace. While you work on improving your relationship with your boss, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Be sure to balance your work life with your personal life. Sufficient rest, nutrition, and entertainment will help you recover from the stress of work both mentally and physically. You can experiment with new ways to deal with your emotions and stress, such as yoga, meditation, exercise, etc.

By Resume Mansion