So, you can’t stand your boss – we hear this all the time!
But the truth is, office culture has evolved tremendously. With that, there is an abundance of leadership training available to help management successfully manage their teams and different personalities. Perhaps, though, there should be more training available on how to manage relationships with managers!
So we have come up with some ideas to help you navigate your way through boss troubles. We’ve narrowed it down to 2 major complaints, and 4 possible resolutions below.
- I’m unhappy with the tasks my boss keeps assigning to me! Maybe they are beneath your skill level, maybe they are above it, or maybe you feel your hard work is being taken advantage of. “Performance punishment” is certainly a buzz word in the workplace.
Here’s the big question to ask yourself: Am I doing the job that I was hired to do?
- No – Self-Advocate. So often our workplace frustrations or disappointments are the result of unmet or uncommunicated expectations. Whether it is more pay, more compassion, or better utilization of your time and skills, your relationship with your manager is like most other relationships – it requires communication! If you sense that the power dynamic doesn’t lend itself to this comfortably – start out by asking how you can do your job better. This lays down some defenses, and even if things can’t change right away, you will have at least opened the door to conversation.
- Yes – Check yourself. A wise man once said, “You better check yo’self before you wreck yo’self”, and we happen to see his point. Let’s face it, no one is perfect. Maybe we want others to initiate friendly greetings, but unknowingly give off a very different vibe ourselves. Our own personal stress has for sure affected work performance a time or two. And we have all said “Yes I can” when we really meant “ I’m not sure”. And that’s ok! A little self awareness and initiative to make a change or get help will go a lot further than placing blame on something or someone else. And sometimes, we just have to deal with responsibilities we don’t exactly love. Think of it like doing the laundry…
2. My boss is just not nice! Feeling ignored by a manager can be anxiety inducing. Being barked at by one can be even more so! Of course, it could be work stress, personal problems, or it may just flat out be a personality trait.
But the question is: Have you attempted to build a relationship?
- No – Bridge the Gap. There is a human element that can often get lost in the workplace – and this goes both ways between management and employees. Engaging in some everyday conversation – over lunch, or even outside of work hours – can give everyone a more compassionate lens during professional interactions as well. Getting to know the person behind the desk or the emails can drastically improve the office dynamic and allow your manager to see you differently.
- Yes – Refer back to “Check Yourself” and then -> Move on. Sadly, sometimes it is just not a good fit. If the communication is there, you’ve tried to bridge the gap, and checked yourself in the meantime, then it may be time to move on. For some that means get out there and look for a new job. For others that may mean to power through and hope for a promotion, or a change in management.
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We spend far too much time at our jobs to do so miserably. If nothing else, it helps to know we’ve done all we can to be the type of employee we would want on our team, or the type of leader we would want leading us. And if it is time to move on, remember you are never stuck! Whether it is new job skills or job openings, your resources are a click away!
