How to Deal with a Difficult Boss

Constant nagging, controlling nature, habit of showering oodles of criticism, lack of appreciation, habit of taking away your due credit, screaming and shouting for no reason at all, etc. maybe some of the traits of your boss that you find hard to deal with. You get tempted to do yourself some good by resigning. But it gets difficult to resign when you love your job, the workplace and everything else except your boss who is trampling all over your life. A boss is a character that is the most discussed one in an organization. Some are lucky to have a gem of a supervisor while the others curse their luck. Here are some strategies on how to deal with a difficult boss. Give them a try before you take the big step.

Strategies on how to deal with a difficult boss
Section – A deals with the phase 1 of your workplace. It is the phase when you try understanding the ways of your boss and analyze him to know him better. The second section is the second phase, when your boss is way beyond your comprehension and you need to take some hardcore steps to set things right. You should not jump to the second part. It is important to know whether you actually did all the necessary things in Section A before you go jumping to the Section B.

SECTION – A
1. Dealing with them does not mean transforming them: You cannot change your boss. It would be an uphill task to do so. You can though, change your perception about them. You should try not to be in hurry to label your boss as a demon.

2. Examine your own performance: Before you lash out at your boss it is important to understand whether your stand is justified at all. You should evaluate your own performance at the office. If possible take more inputs from your colleagues.

3. Analyze the behavior of your boss: A behavior and a person are two different entities. Your difficult boss can be a gem of a person. He may not be actually aware that he is being too difficult you. You should take time to think and analyze whether the bad behavior is due to some work related tension or lack of patience or management skills.

4. Know the dos and don’ts: You should try to understand the way your boss works. Observe what ticks him on and off. Some conflicts arise due to miscommunication. Next time onwards try communicating with your boss and understanding his or her views. If possible share with him your own ideas.

5. Ask for suggestions from your colleagues: You can always ask your colleagues how they deal with the boss. It is possible that you may be missing something. But take note of keeping your talks with your colleagues a low profile matter because the last thing you would want your boss is to accuse you of snooping around the office trying to get information on him.

6. Do not lose your professionalism: Remember at the end of the day you and your boss are working on the same side. It would always be appreciated to not to let your conflicts harm the organization.

SECTION – B
7. Do not react emotionally to the verbal abuses: When your boss attacks you verbally he is setting a trap for you. The more you react emotionally the more you find yourself in deep waters. In this situation, keep your calm and stay quiet. If he still continues exercising his lungs and throat, just tell him that he is right and you are sorry. It doesn’t give him much to attack you with again.

8. Do not confront but rather discuss: You need not take up all the abuses of your boss. You tried to be calm but at the end you may find yourself at the receiving end too often. What you need to do is to go ahead and talk it out with your boss. If possible seek his advice and tell him that you want to improve.

9. Make valuable contacts and expand you network: If possible find yourself a mentor who is superior to your boss. Once you have befriended your mentor do not begin complaining against your boss. Instead have a casual talk and tell your mentor about your views. Your mentor can help you out of the difficult situation.

10. Document: Your employer may have the habit of taking up your due credit. If you want to be on the safer side document everything. You can make a record of everything ranging from your achievements to your hard work.

11. Have an alternative plan B: If things are going beyond the limit you need to clear out quite a few things with your boss. But before you talk to him have an alternate lucrative job offer in your hand. It gives you more power and takes away a bit of the power of your boss.

12. Gather support: You can gather the support of your colleagues and go to the higher authorities. You can have a chat with them about the unreasonable behavior of your boss. Remember do not go up the line unless you are sure that you have no other option.

13. Look for a transfer: If you love the job and do not want to leave it then try for a transfer in another department. It can be your escape route.

14. Go up the command: Neither you may have any support from your colleagues nor you may find yourself a transfer. You can go to the higher authorities now and explain them your stand. Remember once your boss gets to know about it he may not like it. It is important therefore that you take up this initiative when you have tried everything else. Moreover, to be on a safer side, you can take this step only when you have another job option in your hand.

15. Part ways: You have tried just everything and your boss is still the same and has become even worse since you went up to the higher authorities. In such a scenario you can do only one thing –
Say goodbye to your boss, the workplace and the job. But when you leave, do not explode at your boss. You may meet him at some point of your career. It’s important that you leave with dignity.

Last but not the least you must remember that being a boss is always a tough task. But of course it doesn’t give them the license to behave with their sub-ordinates in an unacceptable manner. You can always try out the above strategies on how to deal with a difficult boss before you say the final goodbye. Good luck with your job!