Working eight hours a day is stressful enough, and dealing with a difficult boss doesn’t make it any easier. It’s no surprise that you might have contemplated quitting if you’ve had several disputes with your boss, but held yourself back because you really need the job. Unfortunately, sometimes all you can do is learn how to deal with your difficult boss. For this reason, Akhtaboot the career network shares with you some helpful tips for dealing with a tough boss:
Be One Step Ahead
Make sure that you’re keeping tabs on what your boss is working on and what his or her priorities are. Familiarize yourself with their schedule for the week, and bring important things to their attention. Being prepared will show your boss that you are not slacking behind on your work, and you’re ready to take up any impromptu task. When you’re one step ahead, your boss will not find a reason to make your job a miserable experience.
Keep Calm
Refrain from being too emotional during any discussion with your boss. No matter how difficult your boss is, make sure you remain professional, and don’t let your nerves spiral out of control. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what your boss is truly thinking, so predicting whether they’re going to have an outburst, is almost impossible to tell. Remain calm when your boss decides to have an unexpected tantrum at work, and make sure you don’t pick up an argument that will cost you your job.
Understand Their Motivations
Sometimes, when you learn more about your boss’ motivations, it will help you understand them better, and gives you some insight on their management style. Understanding your boss will make it easier to communicate and engage with them. Your boss might not openly share their thoughts or feelings, so try to determine patterns in their behavior and attitude, which in return will help you understand them better, and anticipate problems before they come up.
Talk to a Colleague or Superior
If your boss’ demeanor starts to take a negative toll on your work productivity, then it might be time to talk to someone and ask for help. It will be useful to get advice from colleague’s or superiors who’ve worked with your boss for quite some time and are familiar with the course of dealing with him or her. You can also ask them to talk to your boss in private, or schedule a meeting between you two, to discuss and solve any discrepancies.