Working Effectively With a Tough Boss
In today’s demanding
workplace, we are all required to work well with many different people and
personalities. However, the most critical relationship is arguably the one you
have with your boss. It’s difficult to be effective on the job or to advance if
there are unresolved issues between you and your supervisor. In addition, the
stress a strained relationship may cause can affect your overall happiness
personally and professionally.
When confronted with
clashing personalities, many people make the mistake of jumping ship before
really trying to improve the situation. But this kind of move is risky --
there’s no guarantee a new supervisor will be easier to work with. In addition,
you may be leaving a position that’s right for you in most ways for something
less satisfying. And with companies cautious about hiring in a still-uncertain
economy, finding another job -- especially right away -- may not be easy.
A better idea is to
develop a strategy for smoothing out any bumps in the working relationship.
There’s a good chance you can improve it with a few modifications. Here are
some suggestions:
-
Look at yourself first.
Try to view things from his or her perspective. For example, do you often
enter his or her office unexpectedly with requests and are met with terse
responses? Remember that your manager also is under time constraints and
pressure to produce results quickly. Perhaps you could reduce interruptions
by sending your questions via voice mail or e-mail so your boss can respond
when it’s more convenient. You may find he or she is more receptive and
helpful when allowed to focus on each task at hand as appropriate.
-
Improve communications.
This is
the cure for many relationship ailments. It’s impossible to change
your boss’s personality, but you can change your own responses and reactions.
Invest your energies in enhancing communication. Begin by arranging a meeting
to discuss goals and expectations. Encourage your manager to be your coach,
and request feedback on your performance occasionally to show your interest in
continual improvement. Ask questions of your supervisor and listen
attentively to the answers without jumping to conclusions. These informal
discussions may help establish a positive dialogue that yields some important
insights. For example, your boss may reveal that he or she has closely
scrutinized your work because you’re being groomed for the next level.
-
Adapt your work style.
While the best supervisors strike a balance between a hands-off and
micromanaging approach, one method is usually dominant. A hands-off boss will
expect you to work with a certain degree of autonomy, while a micromanager
will likely want to review every decision you make. Once you determine which
approach your boss tends to follow, it will be easier to adapt your
style of working to provide what he or she needs to feel comfortable about
your performance, whether it’s more frequent meetings or written status
reports.
If you don’t achieve
satisfactory improvements within a couple of months, you may need to look
elsewhere. Perhaps there are opportunities within the organization in another
area or geographical location. If not, it may be time to consider a new
employer. Even if you decide to leave your current job, remain on good terms
with your supervisor. Future potential employers will be talking to this person
when checking your references, and you’ll want to keep him or her as a network
contact in the future.
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