We all can’t love our bosses because, well, they are the ones we have to impress on a daily basis. But at the end of the day, we have to find a common ground to get the job done. Here are a few tips, with some help from Forbes.com’s “How To Handle A Bad Boss: 7 Strategies For ‘Managing Up,’” on how to survive work with a boss that is constantly on your back.
1. Evaluate your work ethic
By evaluating your work ethic, you can own up to your mistakes in the office—the ones your boss does not like. Perhaps you show up to work late three times out of the week on a regular basis or your paper work is never filed on time. Perhaps you do one of the sure-fire things that can make your boss not be a fan of you, and that isn’t doing a task when you are told to do it. Remember, “If you’re doing the best job you can do, keep your head held high and don’t give him [or her] the satisfaction of pushing you about.” But you can only feel this way if you have a great track record to back you up.
2. Know your drive
Working for someone who does not seem to appreciate your hard work can be stressful and take away your motivation. That is why it’s important to know why you have the job in the first place. Whether your motivation is paying back your student loans, trying to gain experience in a field you love, or to gain the proper finances you need to support your family—never lose sight of why you have made certain career decisions.
3. Find commonalities
Does your boss like to joke around or are they very quiet? Try to tailor to your boss’ preferred methods of speaking and overall office demeanor. If your boss likes to schedule meetings via Microsoft Outlook, then do not use Google Docs. As Forbes mentions, “The more you can match your style to your boss’ style when communicating, the more he [or she] will really hear what you’re saying.” Communicating effectively will help you stay out of each other’s way or get to know each other better.
4. Work around their flaws
You may be blamed for the lack of organization in the office when it’s really your boss’ lack of office management. But do not “Expos[e] his [or her] incompetence [because it] will only compound your own misery and may even damage your reputation.” Instead, work around their bad habits. For instance, “If he [or she] tends to change his mind frequently, or is outright forgetful, be sure to document interactions so you can refer back to them if he ever contradicts himself.” In the long run, your boss might even reward you for picking up the slack.
5. Take the High Road
When all else fails and you and your boss do not see eye-to-eye, be the better person and keep your office grievances to yourself. “You never know who is watching or listening but be assured, people who can open or close future opportunities for you are doing just that!” You may not be the only one to notice your boss’s negative qualities, but rest assured that bad behavior does not go unpunished. Maintain your strong work ethic and let that speak volumes to those who are higher up in the company.
Keep in mind that these tips can help you survive your boss, but they will not guarantee that all of your problems will be fixed. Therefore, you know when it’s the right time to leave a bad situation. By all means, do not leave a job just because of your boss. Leave when you have better opportunities coming your way. It’s never a good idea to leave a career when you do not have a back-up; therefore, start throwing your resume out in the job pool and once someone reals it in, then it will be time to put in your two-weeks notice.
