How To Manage A Bad Boss
Having a bad boss can really cause a lot of tension and frustration.
Even so, whether you like it or not, there’s a reason for you boss’s position, no matter how unreasonable this may look to you.
As John C. Maxwell states: “Your job isn’t to fix the leader; it’s to add value. If the leader won’t change, then change your attitude or your work address.”
What does this mean for you?
That this can be an excellent opportunity to practice your personal leadership for your current and future professional life.
First of all, here is a list of mistakes you should absolutely avoid:
Temptation # 1: Talk negatively about your boss with colleagues and people within the organization
Temptation # 2: Let your boss perceive that you don’t respect or don’t hold him/her in high regard
Temptation # 3: Bypass your boss and act behind his / her back
Even though you may sometimes feel an urge to do so, they are a certain cause for massive conflict with negative consequences on your chances to improve your position within the company.
How to manage the following types of bad boss
Following we will look at two major types of critical bosses, and what you could do to manage them.
Incompetent Boss: This is a tough one. Such a boss is ineffective and a trouble at many levels, not only for their team but for the whole organization. When a boss is incompetent, it is easy that the whole team will be recognized as incompetent. Managing such a boss requires great leadership skills on your side. You need to be smart, know what you do, and make sure that your team will deliver the expected results. This means that you must be good at supporting your boss even if he will get the credit for it (in the beginning). Create a record of all of your accomplishments for the time you want to move on to a different position.
Insecure Boss: Such a boss is terribly afraid of losing recognition and power. When someone in their team perform “too well” they fear being outshone and will try to keep him/her from rising up. When someone in their team doesn’t work well, they get angry because this may cause them to look bad. An insecure boss tends to control everything and make everyone else feel unsecure. Therefore, your job will include creating security for the people who work for you, so that projects can run as smoothly as possible. Also, it is very important that you don’t take it personal, and that you create an effective support system for the moments in which your self-esteem gets shaky.
How can you manage such a boss? One of my clients has an insecure AND incompetent boss, as she often reported with big frustration. During a coaching session we looked at her boss’ objectives and at a possible strategy. Instead of facing him with resentment, she started involving him more in the projects she managed. This made him feel considered and flattered, and he started backing up. The relationship became more relaxed. My client has great leadership skills, and the fact that she managed proves it!
Here’s your gain
It is a matter of finding the right keys, applying them and then being perseverant.
All of this requires a big and continuous effort, and you need to test a bit to see what works in your situation. If you are loyal to your company and even to your boss, or if you have several other reasons for staying, then developing leadership in the areas described above can help you successfully manage critical relationships. And with practice, you will see that this will benefit also your personal relationships!
In short, here’s what you get from taking leadership with a bad boss:
- A more relaxed working environment
- More self-confidence
- More recognition
- You sharpen your leadership skills for your professional future
- You learn to improve your personal relationships
Well, isn’t it worth the effort?
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