How To Deal With A Difficult Boss

Working with a difficult boss is a challenge.

difficult boss

In an ideal world, we all fantasize about a cooperative boss that is appreciative of the efforts of employees, however, this is not always the case. Having a challenging boss at work can be dreadful, and leaving the job is not always a choice. Working under such conditions can take a toll on employees’ mental and physical health, increase employee turnover, and decrease employees’ job satisfaction. According to a report published by HubSpot 69% of the employees said that they are willing to work hard if they are better appreciated by their managers and bosses.

Characteristics of a Difficult Boss

Different bosses may be considered difficult for various reasons. However, challenging bosses may have many traits common. Some of the red flags that an employee needs to watch out for in a manager/boss are as follows.

Micromanagement

Micromanagement refers to the manager’s need to control various aspects of employees’ work and decision-making to an extreme degree. This restricts the employees to express their freedom to plan and execute their ideas. This leads to distrust among employees and slows down the business in the long run. A LinkedIn article reports that employees who don’t like their managers have a 60% more probability of getting heart attacks.

Lack of Empathy

A boss needs to be empathetic to understand their employee’s emotions, listen to their problems and direct them accordingly. Having empathy shows employees that they are being cared for and their leader is invested in their future. It is essential to understand other people’s emotions for a better relationship. Not having this type of quality relationship between the employee and employer can decrease production and increase the turnover rate of the organization.

Lack of Respect for Employees

A leader needs to be able to understand, listen, learn, and have mutual respect for his employees. A leader should be able to make their employees feel that their opinions matter and that they are being heard. Employees should feel they are an important part of the organization by giving them important tasks, taking their feedback, and allowing the express freedom of choice in their tasks.

Tips to Deal with A Difficult Boss

Leaving a job in current difficult times, of increasing inflation is not an option. Hence, it is important to learn tricks that would help employees out. Some tips and tricks that would help an employee cope with a difficult boss are as follows.

1 Perform Efficiently

It is always rewarding to take proactive steps to remain in the league from your colleagues and enter the manager’s good books. To remain a step ahead, anticipate future bosses’ demands and complete the tasks before they ask you to do them. Additionally, it would allow the employee to gain the manager’s trust and get them off their back, from watching their every move.

2Know Your Rights

An employee needs to know about their rights and what is expected from them. The employees need to realize the importance of sticking to their job description and not doing more than what was asked of them, even if it means standing up for yourself against your boss when necessary. This would restrict the managers from putting an unnecessary burden on employees’ shoulders.

3Identify Triggers

If employees believe that their boos are facing anger management problems, they need to identify the root because that triggers their meltdowns. Employees should mind their boss’s attitude and adjust them accordingly, to avoid conflicts. Efficient employee always completes their tasks on time and ensures that their managers are always satisfied with their work.

4Choose Words Carefully

Communication is the key to success between employees. The employees should communicate all their concerns about a particular task and the problem they are facing; so that the managers understand their situation and can help them out. Being clear about expectations and willing to compromise is the key to a healthy work relationship between an employee and a boss. The success of any company majorly depends on the healthy professional relationship between the boss and an employee. Attendance and task tracking applications are effective ways to stay organized and productive in real time. It has incredible features which make it convenient for both the leaders and followers to manage work constructively.

5Take Criticism Positively

Employees should always take responsibility for their actions. One cannot always change the actions of others; however, one can control their actions. If the boss is not satisfied with an employee’s performance, the employee can look for an opportunity to improve and adjust themselves to meet their boss’s expectations. It’s an essential task to understand the demands of your job to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstanding. Not taking responsibility for one’s action may worsen the situation and prevent the situation from improving.

In a Nutshell

Difficult employers exist all around the world, and quitting a job is not an option for employees with the increasing inflation. Hence, the employees need to become smart about the way they deal with their employers by picking up on some tricks.