One of the many reasons why workers become unhappy at work is bad management. A bad boss can turn even a good environment into an unpleasant and unhappy workplace. They have the power to assign good or bad tasks, and even to fire. This power imbalance is the reason why it is so important to have a good relationship with your supervisor. You don't have to be helpless and silently accept a bad boss, but you have to raise your voice to try to change the situation. However, you need to realize that some executives intentionally misbehave because they receive benefits and you may be seen as a threat, in which case you need to know how to defend yourself. If you want to know how to deal with your bad boss and improve your work environment, start reading from Step 1.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Improve Your Relationship
Step 1. Talk
If you can't have a good relationship with your boss, you shouldn't linger in silence. Talking to your boss about your problems in a calm, polite, and professional way can lead you to work together to resolve them. The type of relationship you have and your boss's personality must of course influence your approach to the conversation, but in general, saying something and trying to improve your relationship is better than getting angry and frustrated and not being able to carry through. my job.
- You'd be surprised how many bosses have no idea that the people they manage feel neglected, angry, frustrated, or think they're receiving ambiguous signals. When you express your concerns to your boss, he will be grateful that you have said something.
- If you never say anything about it, there is no chance that your working relationship or working environment will improve. Saying something is unpleasant, but it will be worth it in the long run.
- You should decide in advance what to say, ask your boss for a moment for an interview, and come prepared with tests and examples of situations in which you have felt frustrated.
Step 2. Work with your boss, not against him
While you may find it satisfying to sabotage your boss or make him appear stupid or incompetent, in the long run it is far better to help your boss look good and achieve goals that are good for you and for society. If you spend your time making your boss seem incompetent at meetings, or sabotaging his or her efforts to get a job done, you will only poison your relationship and your work environment. Instead of trying to improve your situation, try to help your boss achieve goals and everything will be better.
Of course the last thing you want to do is work with someone who doesn't respect you very much. But it will always be better than bumping into him
Step 3. Make a note of all your interactions
While documenting all the annoying or horrible things your boss did to you doesn't seem like the funniest pastime, you should start doing it if you think the situation has gotten out of hand. Save all negative emails, save reminders that prove your boss is giving contradictory messages, and do what you can to document your professional problems. This is advisable for two reasons:
- First, if you and your boss discuss your problematic relationship and your boss tells you you don't know what you're talking about, you'll have something to bring as proof. If your boss hears you saying his messages are confusing, it won't be as effective as showing him two emails with completely opposite messages.
- If your boss is the kind of person who could falsely accuse you, documenting all your interactions can clear your name.
Step 4. Don't speak ill of the boss with colleagues
Saying negative things about your boss in front of colleagues will only put fuel on the fire and at worst can get you into trouble. While you may be tempted to let off steam about your boss's management style, you shouldn't reveal your negative feelings. Finding comfort from your coworkers will not help you solve problems with your boss, and if one of them wants to be offensive to you, they may report everything to your supervisor.
You should especially avoid saying anything negative about your boss to your superiors. This wouldn't help your reputation. Remember that you should give the impression that you are a person who gets along with everyone, not a pain in the ass who always complains about everyone in the office
Step 5. Anticipate problems before they happen
Another way to improve your relationship with your boss is to pay attention to future problems and try to prevent them before they arise. Think about trying to prevent a small child's tantrums - if you hear your boss start yelling across the hall, prepare something to say to calm him down, or find a way to call yourself out of the situation. If you know your boss very well, you should know what things irritate him, and you'll do well to come up with a plan before things turn for the worse.
- If you know a co-worker is about to talk about a big problem in the office at a meeting, you can talk to your boss ahead of time to get it ready.
- If you know your boss is in a bad mood when it rains and gets stuck in traffic, be prepared with some good news when he shows up at your office door.
Step 6. Work on your boss's weaknesses
You may be tempted to exploit them, but that won't get you very far in your company or workplace. Instead, try to help him counter these weaknesses, so that everything runs more efficiently and with less conflict. If your boss is always late for meetings, offer to be the one to initiate her. If your boss is disorganized, offer to correct the next report before having to introduce it to customers. Look for ways to really help your boss and take the opportunities that present themselves.
If you help your boss work better, your relationship will improve. Your boss may even be grateful to you
Step 7. Praise your boss when he does something right
Many managers never receive praise because it is mistakenly believed that praise should only be directed from managers to employees. Tackling your supervisor for advice can make you nervous, but good managers are truly grateful for helpful and constructive feedback, and will appreciate any opportunity to improve their work. However, be careful not to flatter a bad boss, as you may not be understood.
Your boss will be impressed with your attempts to make him feel better about his management style and everything will get better
Part 2 of 3: Having the Right Mindset
Step 1. Remember that there is a difference between a bad relationship and a bad boss
A bad boss is someone who intentionally misbehaves and is not available to treat you openly and honestly. A bad relationship is the inability to communicate or work together to achieve goals that benefit both of you. To resolve the situation with your boss, you should focus on the relationship and not the person. This will help you stay calm and find a productive way to resolve the situation.
Step 2. Make sure you behave right
Before blaming your boss for all the problems in your relationship, you should ask yourself if there is anything about your performance that you could improve on. You may think you are behaving perfectly, but you should make sure that you really meet the goals you want to achieve, do your part in the projects, and communicate effectively. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do to improve your behavior, and if this could lead to the problems you are having with the boss.
Of course, there is a possibility that your boss is totally unreasonable and there is no way to improve the way he treats you. But it's best not to overlook your part in your relationship
Step 3. Don't lose your sense of humor
A healthy dose of humor can help you manage the relationship with your boss and not take it too seriously. While workplace conflicts aren't fun at all, you will need to take a step back and remember that, ultimately, your job isn't your whole life and that you have many meaningful relationships and other interests outside of work. give meaning to your life. The next time your boss makes you frustrated or annoys you, learn to laugh, shrug, and don't always take everything too seriously.
Of course, if your boss is abusive, discriminating, or acting incredibly out of place, that's no laughing matter. But learning to laugh at the annoyances of everyday life can help you improve your attitude towards the working relationship
Step 4. Always be professional
While you may be tempted to speak ill of your boss, act childish, arrive late for work, or do something silly like stealing your boss's pen, these tactics won't help you. Even if you find that your boss is childish or immature, you shouldn't go down to his level, but you should always keep a professional attitude - after all, you need to remember that you are at work, you are not having a fight in a bar, and you are not insulting a person. friend on the phone. Stay calm and dignified so your boss will be the one to set an example of unprofessionalism when you have a conflict.
If you act unprofessionally, this will negatively affect you and your future in society. You don't want other people to think you're childish just because your boss drives you crazy
Step 5. Don't fight fire with fire
If you and your boss are having an altercation, you may be tempted to respond with harsh words and abusive language, but that would only give you temporary relief. Even if your boss gets mad at you, you should avoid using abusive language, attacking him personally, or doing anything unreasonable to vent. While you may feel better in the moment, in the long run it will only make your relationship worse and go wrong. You will have to behave like a gentleman, and not stoop to the level of your boss.
If you find that you are getting so angry that you risk saying something that you will regret, apologize and come back when you feel ready to talk again
Step 6. Focus on the problem and not on your boss
If you focus on your boss, you will get frustrated and make it personal. Instead of getting mad at your boss for being messy, confusing or distant, you should try to solve your problem at work, whether it's making meetings more efficient or making it easier for you to work in concert with colleagues. to remedy the confusing messages from your boss. Try to figure out how to solve the problem, working with your boss and on your own.
Thinking about the job problem instead of your boss's frustrating behavior will allow you to be more productive in your attempt to improve the situation. If you focus more on your boss's behavior, you risk making it personal
Part 3 of 3: Take action
Step 1. Talk to your supervisor
If the problem has really gotten out of hand, your best bet is to speak to your boss's supervisor or a senior person within the company. If you've tried everything or if you've thought about possible solutions and realized there's nothing you can do, your best bet is to take the problem to the next level of command. Talk to your supervisor. Make it clear that you really want to make things better for the company, but that you haven't been able to work with your boss. Speak calmly and professionally, even if you are angry.
- Focus on productivity, not emotions. Don't complain about how bad or rude your boss is, but rather about work-related aspects, such as how lack of communication makes it difficult to work.
- Don't speak ill of your boss to your supervisor. Be as kind as possible when voicing your concerns. Don't say your boss is crazy or completely out of his mind; instead he explains how he was slightly inflexible or often changed the goal of the working group. Don't take the risk of saying something that might sound like you can't keep calm or have a good relationship with others.
Step 2. Find another mentor within the company
Your boss doesn't have to be your only reference at work. If you don't want to leave your position but have a difficult relationship with your boss, you'd better find another person in the company who is enjoyable to work with and who can teach you a lot so you can focus on a more positive relationship. If you've worked with someone you admire a lot, try to find a way to spend more time with them and learn; this will serve to improve your work experience.
If you and this person have a friendly and cooperative relationship, they may help you find strategies for working with your boss. You won't need to speak ill of your boss to get advice on how to manage your relationship with him. This person will be able to give you very valuable advice, especially if they have been in the company longer than you
Step 3. Ask to be transferred to a different department
Another way to solve a problem with a bad boss, once you realize you can't work together, is to simply ask to be transferred to a different department of the company. If you want to stay in the company but have realized that you can no longer work with your boss, your best bet is to talk to your supervisor to find a position that works best for you in the company. You may be able to start a better working relationship with a more understanding boss.
If you have worked well with other people in the past and have realized that it is simply impossible to work with this particular garment, this will not have a negative impact on you. In fact, you will be well seen for taking the initiative and improving your situation
Step 4. Take action if you think you have been discriminated against
If this is the case for you, it is important to consult with your union or a labor lawyer if you feel you have been discriminated against and are part of a protected class. Some conflicts involve disagreements about the legality of certain actions. Whistleblowers who report violations may have legal protection and may try to discuss their concerns with entities outside the company's chain of command.
If the conflict arises from a fraud intended to rob the government, whistleblowers must follow a special procedure to protect their rights
Step 5. Consider whether quitting your job is worth it
If the situation with your boss has escalated to the point that you can't see a solution other than leaving the company, you will need to think carefully to see if it is the right thing to do. If your work situation creates health problems, or damages your general well-being, and there is no possibility of being transferred or improving the situation, it may be time to leave. However, remember that it can be quite difficult to find another job, especially in the current economic climate, and you should consider whether it is worth looking back.
- Of course, you can do what a lot of people who aren't happy with their job do: start applying for other positions without leaving your job. This can make you a more desirable candidate because you are already employed, and it will give you an idea of the demand in the market for a professional like you.
- But if your situation is really intolerable, you can't find the excuse of low demand on the market to force you to stay. You will have to establish the point of no return.
Step 6. Do your research before changing jobs
Some people are so eager to change jobs that they accept without thinking about all the other offers they receive. But before you make a decision about your future, you should talk to the people in the new company, your future boss, and make sure you don't go from the pan to the fire. Even if you can't wait to leave, you shouldn't risk starting a situation that's no better than the one you're leaving behind.
