How to Deal With an Aggravating Boss
It is important to proactively deal with an aggravating boss. Allowing a dysfunctional working relationship with your boss to continue will make you hate your job, perform work below your potential and could ultimately harm your career. Successfully dealing with an aggravating boss demonstrates that you are a team player, easy to work with and an effective leader. If you can follow someone difficult you can lead the difficult. According to Emory University Executive Career Coach Jodie Charlop, handling an aggravating boss can lead to promotions and a successful career.
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Instructions
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Write down the problems you have with your boss. Professor Allan Cohen of Babson College warns against creating conflict with your boss on issues not related to the true problem. Do not fight about one thing when the issue is something else. He says if you focus on the precise problem, you can find a successful solution. Detail exactly what bothers and what steps you have already taken to address the issue.
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Decide if the problem is worth addressing. Columbia Business School recommends assessing the cost and benefit of raising a problem issue with your boss. If you will be moving to a new position soon and raising the issue will do more harm than good, you might want to look at the aggravating situation as temporary and just quietly deal with it.
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Look at the problem from your boss' point of view. Turn the tables on yourself and put yourself in your boss' shoes. Is your description fair or are you putting an emotional spin on the situation? Focus on the work rather than the person. While her behavior might be aggravating to you, try to determine whether her actions actually hinder your ability to do your job.
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Talk about the problem with your boss. Professor Allan Cohen of Babson College recommends remaining positive and discussing ways you will come away from the conversation with a better relationship. Avoid attacking your boss and do not use negative names. Instead, utilize problem-solving skills to help your boss understand what aggravates you. The Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation emphasizes that you must keep your temper. If you lose control, you might lose the respect of your boss and could be seen as challenging your boss's authority.
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Be ready to compromise. Your boss could raise issues you did not consider. Understand that you might not come away 100-percent satisfied with the conversation, but that's okay. You don't have to be friends with your aggravating boss. The goal is to address the problem so you are better able to work together.
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Schedule regular follow up meetings with your boss. Emory University Executive Career Coach Jodie Charlop says remaining in sync with your boss is vital to your future work relationship. Check in each week to see how you both feel about your progress. Make sure you are on the same page about your long-term goals.
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References
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