If you have one, your life can be miserable...here’s how to cope
No matter what line of work you're in, hating your boss is no way to go
through your professional life whether you report each day to a
construction site, or an office.
Indeed, the boss may be a fool, a buffoon, a pompous and condescending
jerk who is constantly putting you down, humiliating you in front of
others, yelling at you, or otherwise making your life really terrible.
What can you do? Obviously, you can sit back and take it, moving deeper
and deeper into a state of despair. You could leave the company, but
perhaps you really dont want to leave for various reasons, including the
daunting prospect of having to search for another job. You could go over
their head and complain to
their boss, however, that might come
back to haunt you because your own boss will not like that in the least.
Or, you might try one of the following strategies:
Find common ground. Chances are, even though your boss appears in every
way to be totally out of control in a very bad way, there is probably
something redeemable about their personality. Try to find out what that
is. Maybe its an interest in literature, or gardening, or sports.
Attempt to relate on that level. Do your homework beforehand if you have
to so you can get up to speed on their interest. Then converse with the
boss on the topic. You might be surprised to find out that the
commonality of your conversation prompts them to view and treat you in a
whole other (an more positive) way.
Establish limits. Some bosses are just plain bullies who think they can
steamroll everyone who works for them. If the boss has overstepped their
bounds and entered the realm of mistreatment, tell them right away in a
calm but firm way. Again, as with finding common ground described above,
you may discover that the boss could look toward you in a better light,
and will actually respect your request that they do not cross the line
again.
Stick to your guns. It's possible, even probable, that from time to
time...even after you've found a common ground and established
limits...that your boss will slip back to their old self and treat you
rudely or harshly again. Do not hesitate to reiterate your firm stance
that you will not be treated in such a manner. Sooner or later, and
hopefully for good, the boss will get the message.
