No matter what position an employees has, there is likely someone above him to ensure that the job is done properly. Even the self employed have clients, and are often left wondering "How do I handle a demanding boss?" Well, nearly anyone can handle a bad boss by dispensing with the notion that it's all the fault of their supervisor. Good communication and diplomacy can often turn a difficult work environment into an open one.
Supervisors Don't always Have the Right Answer, and Neither do Employees
It's very unlikely that a supervisor has done the grunt work in a while. That means that procedures have probably changed, and protocol is different from when an employer was trained in the lower positions. This means that a boss may not understand why employees do some of the things they do, and could assume that mistakes are being made when work is actually being done more efficiently. Be sure to explain politely why a certain approach is being taken, and be ready to back it up.
If a worker isn't preforming, they'll get an earful from the boss – who hears it from HIS boss. A supervisor doesn't want those under him to fail, because it's his responsibility to make sure work is done correctly, and on time. When employees are under pressure, it means the boss is too. If things are too much to handle, admit it, and ask for some help. Employers who are not aware of a worker's limitations may continue to expect more than is reasonable.
Stress, and A Lack of Trust Cause Bosses to Micromanage
When bosses have a tendency to micromanage, it generally means that they're not satisfied with the way things are proceeding as a whole. They may be worried over low profits, or maybe they're afraid to trust workers to manage things on their own. They may feel the need to have a hand in things because they don't know what's going on. No matter the reason, politely tell an employer that the micromanagement is making it hard to concentrate. He can be involved if regular updates are sent, and daily meetings are set up to discuss the direction of the project.
Lack of trust is another issue. What a boss thinks is common sense may not be, but it's important to get a feel for what an employer expects. If he has to constantly point out things that have been overlooked, then he will have a hard time trusting employees to take care of things without supervision. Make sure that every task has a clearly established set of expectations, so no one is disappointed by the outcome.
When Employees Don't Respect a Job, The Bottom Line Suffers
An employer invests a lot in training a new person. Employees cost a lot more than their actual salary. A company is paying taxes, medical benefits, unemployment insurance, and a host of other added costs. When employees come in late, take too many sick days, or don't do their job to your fullest, it will make them less trustworthy in the eyes of their employer. This is a prime place for office resentment to grow, so respect any job, and follow this bit of job advice.
When dealing with a difficult boss, trust and communication are the strongest tools in the arsenal. Take the time to make it clear to a boss or supervisor exactly what is reasonable, and what isn't. Be fair, and respect the employer and the position.
Melinda Corley - I have been writing SEO based web copy for 5 years. I am currently living in Austin, Texas. I hold a Bachelor's degree in ...
Join the Conversation