Dealing with an Annoying Boss
It can be very stressful when you have a difficult boss. He or she may hassle you no matter what you do. There are many different options and strategies that can help you deal with a difficult boss.
First, adjust your attitude. Of course it can be distressing to have a boss that is difficult, but for your own sanity you should try not to let it get to you. This person is not your friend and he or she will not be your boss forever. Do not take anything personally. If he or she says something insulting then let it go in one ear and out the other ear, as the saying goes. You probably have others in your life such as family and friends whose opinion matters to you. Recognize that he or she is not a good boss and may not be a nice person and thus do not let what he or she says get to you. It would be the same advice you would give to a child who was dealing with a bully.
You can try to minimize your interaction with your boss to the extent possible. Of course you cannot always do this and you do not want to get in trouble, but there may be times when you could send an email instead of calling or visiting with him. You can also choose good times to visit with him or her. For instance, pick a time when he or she is happy and not upset about something else.
Try to avoid triggering your boss’ pet peeves. If you know that he or she gets very upset if people are a minute late, then make an effort to be on time. Try not to give him or her any reason to complain. Of course some people will complain no matter what you do, but the fewer reasons you give him or her, the better.
Try to be super nice to your boss. Even if it is frustrating, he or she will probably act a lot nicer to you if you are nice to him or her. You might not want to go overboard, however, if your boss would think you to be insincere.
In some cases you might want to consider what other options are available to you if you are truly miserable. You might be able to transfer within the company and get a different boss, for instance. In today’s difficult job market you might not want to quit unless you are absolutely sure you can find something else. The above strategies can help you deal with this situation.
