How to Love Your Boss

Some of the most insane bosses I've known include one who transformed into the devil during one of my nightmares and another who used to hurl things across the office. Another would yell at us for leaving our desks if we dared go to the bathroom and yet a third would assign a task and then ask why the heck we were working on that particular task. Yes, it may seem downright insane to love your boss, but your workplace will be less hellish if you at least try.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good work ethic
• Self confidence
• Empathy
• Coworkers to complain to

1. Do your best, no matter what. One pitfall when you hate your boss is to start doing a crummy job as a kind of revenge. As long as you keep feeling good about your own work, and the difference you're making with it, it's a little easier not to care about all the chaos caused by an incompetent boss.

2. Try to find your boss' good points, or at least one good point. The man who turned into the devil was a loving father to his little boy. The guy who hurled things across the office was a wonderful teacher. The bathroom guy, well, he knew how to make money. Poor bosses might be good in some areas of their lives, just bad bosses.

3. Write a nasty letter to your boss outlining everything that is wrong with him and his performance as the person in charge. Vent all your frustrations on paper. Unless you want to be fired, however, never hand him the letter. Burn it instead.

4. Remember your boss is human, too. Maybe your boss has had a bad life. Try a little empathy.

5. Talk to the boss. If something is really getting out of hand, bordering on harassment or you've been in hit in the head by one of those things he hurled across the room, it may be time for a little chit-chat. Never start the conversation with "You always..." but rather with, "I feel...."

6. Pray for him. To be that awful he has to be miserable. Pray for him to find peace, not to drop dead. You'll be amazed at the results.

Tips & Warnings

• Business is always the top priority. Your relationship with your boss may improve if you remember that. The boss is not there to be your guardian angel, coffee klatsch buddy or best friend.
• Let it go. Don't hold grudges against your boss or you'll get a pile of resentments as high as a kite. This will definitely impede on your ability to do a good job.
• Praise yourself. Even if your boss is not forthcoming with kudos, give some to yourself. You'll know when you've done a good job because it's when you've poured your heart and soul into a project and done your best. Reward yourself with something warm and comfy even if your boss never utters a word.
• Recall the day he hired you. Most likely you did not hate your boss then. Draw on that day to figure out what changed.
• Complain to coworkers to diffuse immediate anger or frustration, but keep in mind one may be a rat or even related to your boss. Don't say anything you wouldn't say to your boss' face.
• Never take harassment, verbal abuse or being called names unless the name happens to be "employee of the month."
• Don't get drunk at the office holiday party and tell off your boss, unless you want to spend the new year on a job hunt.