How to Deal With Difficult Bosses

If you love your career but are fed up with your difficult boss, despair no more. There are simple things that you can do to defuse your boss before he explodes. A bit of patience, forethought, and planning can go a long way towards making your work day less of a chore.

Instructions

1. Always be prepared. If you know where you are on all of your projects, it makes keeping the boss updated much easier. Keep a schedule and status report handy, and send a report via email or memo to your boss on a regular basis. This keeps you in good graces with your boss, and keeps him in good graces with his by allowing him to report on cue where his department stands on company projects. It shows that his department is being managed well, and is operating in an organized and efficient manner.

2. Start the day off right. Allow yourself time each day to organize your area, schedule, and tasks. If your boss likes coffee, make a pot or pour him a cup for when he arrives at work. Even if you don't drink coffee, this simple gesture shows you appreciate your boss and the stress he is under. If your boss is grumpy in the morning, try to manage his schedule to give him as much time to wake up and be social before scheduling problem clients or hectic meetings.

3. Mitigate mistakes.When you make mistakes, admit them immediately, so as not to cause distrust between you and your boss or company. Determine the severity of the mistake, and quickly brainstorm possible solutions. Set a time to talk to your boss about the issue in a calm, professional, yet apologetic manner. Do not over-apologize, but admit to your mistake and show maturity in accepting consequences and contributing to a resolution.

4. Keep a cool head. When your boss boils, turn down the heat by remaining calm. Speak calmly but confidently. Ignore a little venting, if possible, but if the behavior escalates to abusive or inappropriate, calmly suggest to your difficult boss that the two of you can manage the problem better if you attack it with calm minds. Offer to do your part to help. Request a brief cooling-off period before meeting again to tackle the problem effectively and appropriately, after tempers have had time to run their course.

5. Remain confident. If your boss simply refuses to acknowledge your accomplishments or value, remind him. If you feel you are the perfect candidate to fill that promotion spot, tell him so. Hand a resume and cover letter that reminds him of the valuable contributions you have made to the company, and previews what you can do in the new position. Provide a copy to his supervisor, as well. Ask for the raise or promotion you feel you deserve with confidence, and follow up on promised response dates, even if the company does not.

6. Know your limits.Don't be afraid to tell your boss politely that you appreciate their stress, but you don't appreciate the way they are speaking to or treating you, and that you expect to be treated professionally. If you are the victim of discrimination, abuse, or something equally as serious, know your limits. Report your boss to their supervisor. Make an official complaint. Contact an attorney or the EEOC. Research your employee rights per company policy and within your state. If you need to, use that resume to find a position where your boss deserves his supervisory position.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared.

• Advocate for yourself.

• Stand up for your rights.

• Remain calm at all times.

• Remember not to throw up your hands without a plan B.

• Know your rights and consult an attorney for more serious issues.

• Avoid falling into the trap of arguing or yelling. Don't personalize or over-emotionalize scenarios that call for logic and calm.