work with difficult bosses

Work with difficult bosses is a tricky business.

Working for a boss who is competent, understanding, and supportive is excellent. But that isn’t the case always. Having the perfect boss is nearly impossible.

• Some bosses are just terrible,
• They are poor delegators and annoying micromanagers,
• Some of them are self-indulgently obsessed with the office gossip,
• They are only available on slack, where they consistently ignore your messages.

It’s critical to learn how to deal with the boss you have for your success. The best first step is to try to understand your boss and learn how to deal with their personality. There’s no doubt. Sometimes handling our bosses can be extremely difficult. In this blog, let us discuss a few common toxic bosses and the best ways to work with difficult bosses.

Common toxic bosses and the best ways to work with difficult bosses

 

• The Micromanager

The first and foremost kind of toxic boss is one who micromanages. They want to have input on every situation at every time. It’s not a personal attack on you or your work as the micromanager does this to everyone. They strive for perfection that can never get achieved.

How to Work With the Micromanager

There are several ways to deal with a micromanager. One way is to sit down with them and ask exactly what they want. This way, you can ensure you are clear about what they want, and you can both be on the same page. Fear of losing control is the reason why micromanagers exist. So, you should make them feel less fearful of entrusting tasks to you. It’s hard to get a micromanager to allow full freedom. Still, by getting them clearly, you should identify what they expect from you. When your boss sees you deliver the exact result, the working relationship will get better with time.

• The Dictator

Do you have a boss who tells you what all tasks to do, when to do them, and how to do them without allowing your input? This kind of bosses lives and breathes through his ego. They want power and want to be in charge. They also point fingers on you and want to intimidate you.

How to work with the Dictator

In this scenario, you must deal with your boss carefully. The goal is to avoid getting emotional or flustered. You have to be well calculated when dealing with a dictator boss. Let them have all the recognition. Since the ego of your boss leaves no room for yours, you have to get comfortable taking a back seat. Give them credit and trust that you did an excellent job. But be sure to keep a record of what you contribute, as this will be helpful in negotiations, and don’t release your value.

• The Inadequate One

It is the boss that made it through the ranks, and you don’t know, nor do they, how they got there. They are in over their head, and you have more knowledge and skills than they do, but they are at the top.

How to work with the Inadequate One

Don’t get frustrated. Just stop trying to highlight their incompetency. You know you have more knowledge than they do. You must let go of your pride and help elevate them because this will ultimately elevate you. Your boss will be so happy if you proceed to give them a helping hand, as this will make you both shine. Don’t try to hurt them; instead, help them out.

Though toxic bosses may be challenging, they are not impossible to work with. You can stop thinking that you can’t deal with them — because you can. You just have to know how to navigate through the situations, and these three tactics should help.