A research by Office Team, the world’s leading staffing company, estimates that about 50% of all employees will work alongside a difficult boss. Have you worked with one before? How did you fare? As a youth here are excerpt..
1. Working with people is not an easy task. It is an art and must be learnt by everyone.
2. People are not perfect, and we are all prone to being difficult in our dealings with others. So take it easy when others prove difficult.
3. Who is a difficult boss? He/she is one who shows no interest in what you do, or complains about everything you do, or is aggressive. They could also be that type of boss who throws tantrums when angry.
Tips on how to handle a difficult boss
1. Quitting your job is a last resort when you work with a difficult. This is because you might move to another job and work with an even worse boss.
2. Ensure that you’re not the problem. If you’re the only one in the organisation who thinks your boss is difficult, then you have to check yourself.
3. If your boss is truly difficult, seek to understand them. Get to know their likes and dislikes. For instance, if your boss gets angry when you’re late, then go to work on time.
4. No matter how bad your boss is, don’t let it affect your work. Work the very best way you can. Their reaction should affect your productivity.
5. Support him/her to succeed. If you do that, you help yourself. Do this by knowing his strengths and weaknesses. Do well to ‘cover up’ his weaknesses. For instance, if your boss isn’t organised, help him organise his desk, and other files, etc.
5. You need to document everything. It helps to put you up to speed on what they want you to do.
6. Be patient. Manage your emotions. It’s not easy to do; but you’ve got to do it, anyway. You can’t afford to hit back. He/she has a hand in your salary, appraisal, and future job reference, remember.
7. If it comes to the point when you can’t take it anymore, speak to him/her on how you feel about the situation. Making it confrontational might back fire. Do this when he/she is in a good mood.
