Everyone wants a great boss. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. When you get a very tough manager, you can’t just throw in the towel and give up.
After all, there’s more on the line career-wise than just being frustrated by the individual. If and when this happens –because it will happen at least once during the course of your career, you’ve got to adapt and make the most of it.
Regardless of the difficulties that working with them presents, there are ways you can ensure that you don’t get on their bad side or at least, have a professional working relationship with them. In this post, we’ll look at some smart ways to do that effectively and efficiently.
But First, How Can You Identify Difficult Manager?
This is important because people often confuse a bad manager with a tough one –particularly if their previous supervisor was a warm, genial person. The following attributes define a bad or difficult boss:
There are many more negative attributes with which we can describe these kinds of people. Whenever you come in contact with or have to work for one, it is important to make a go of it first. Sometimes, the best revenge is to “outlive” or outstay these people. Here’s how you can do that.
Identify Their Motivations
What drives them? What are their personal career goals, as well as visions for the unit –if any? This may seem a bit strange seeing as they’re ‘terrible” people.
But what it does for you is help you know what you need to steer clear of while working with them, and what you need to focus on or help them with. This is particularly important if they expect too much. Here’s the reality: even the most sadistic of bosses has an agenda or a career goal.
See how you can align some of your goals with theirs and work accordingly. It won’t be easy, particularly if you’re a good person who is committed to company goals, but it can be done. Just remember to remove yourself from any actions of theirs that may lead to self-sabotage or work against the firm.
Protect Yourself
Some companies encourage workers to come up with unique solutions and will even partner with them to protect their intellectual property. In fact, some companies have been known to work with their employees to get royalties for solutions that they invented.
If you have some groundbreaking ideas or solutions that could potentially transform the company, it is important to protect yourself. Consult with an intellectual property or copyright lawyer if possible and explore your options are if you’re working under a very tough manager.
Support Them However Possible
This may seem counterintuitive, but it is important to do what you can to not worsen the situation. Remember that some managers got to their positions of authority by sheer dint of hard work; not because they were well-liked.
This means that they have their strengths, even if they suck as bosses. So, see where you can help pick up their slacks and complement their strengths. Learn how to communicate with your manager so that their objectives and yours are achieved.
For example, if they are forgetful and disorganised, see how you can help them remember things and keep them organised. Always pre-empt their moves so that you’re never caught unawares, as some of them are more likely to put the blame for their mistakes on their subordinates.
Do Not Expect Any Rewards or Positive Feedback
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
When you’re used to working for a boss who acknowledges your contribution and builds workers’ morale, this can come as quite a shock. But, before you get discouraged, remember that this is uncharted waters.
So, forget about any positive feedback. If they do give you one, just take it in stride, but make sure to have no expectations. The only thing you owe to yourself and the organisation is that you give them your utmost best, regardless of whether your boss recognises your efforts or not.
Just think of it as you building your personal work culture. Eventually, this habit and attitude will get you noticed by people who are higher up.
Don’t Let Their Behaviour Influence Yours
Always be above board and take the high road. You don’t know this, but people at the top are watching and probably hearing about your manager’s antics. More importantly, they’re keenly watching how you’re reacting to your boss.
Never allow your boss’ bad behaviours to dictate yours. Do your work, be professional, and stay on top of your performance metrics. Remember that even though you’re currently working for this person, your work is for the company and the advancement or achievement of its goals.
Here’s the interesting thing: your attitude can actually make you shine, forcing even the bad boss to give you glowing recommendations in spite of their sabotaging efforts. And even when they don’t, people who matter are watching and noting your actions. You’ll be surprised that these same folks are the people who will recommend you for a promotion just because of how you dealt with that situation.
Concluding Thoughts
If your boss is difficult, don’t take their actions or statements personally. It may be hard to do this, but you should have that perspective. Develop a constant state of equanimity.
This way, you’ll still be able to do a great job in spite of the tough situation. Complain all you want to your spouse, partner, or friends, but keep your complaints away from the office or your colleague’s ears. This way, no one can level any unfounded accusations against you.
And if in spite of every effort, your boss still makes your work life miserable, either tough it out or start looking for another job elsewhere –remember that people don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses. The latter is important if it becomes clear that you may end up spending a number of years working under someone who won’t let you grow.
