Handling a difficult boss

During the course of your career, you may always run into a difficult boss. While some can be simply forceful and insistent, others could be impolite and uncouth. In most cases when a boss tends to be insulting and offensive, the general impression generated is that he has problems on the domestic front on account of which he has adopted and intimidating disposition. You may not be able to bring about a change in such disgusting outlooks but that does not, in any way imply that you have to subsist through a frightful work life.

Your boss, howsoever difficult he or she may be, should not be allowed to have a free run and exercise control over your life. Some methods to tackle difficult boss situations are:

· Have an alternative line of action at hand: People are generally apprehensive of sitting across the table to discuss outrageous boss conduct. They either worry about being castigated or even losing a job. Such worries are justifiable when a boss feels endangered by juniors. Therefore, to have an alternative line of action at hand is recommended prior to any initiative to deal with your boss in this regard. The alternative line of action can be implemented if your boss seems incorrigible. It entails having a secured job offer in hand prior to discussing your boss’ misconduct with him because you cannot be certain if the boss will be relenting or not. But in case you do not, you afford your intemperate boss an opportunity to further subdue you.  

· Refrain from reacting expressively to ill-treatment or punitive disparagement: You may land up in difficult situations yourself because of clash of self-esteems. There will be every possibility of your boss harbouring a bigger sense of self. If at all you are subjected to a dose of personal condemnation, the intention could well be to prompt you to react sensitively so that you become easy targets for additional such attacks. You simply have to grant and carry on; in the process, you will successfully strip your boss of all sway behind such attacks without creating a dispute. You need to remain balanced and poised; saying sorry will be in the fitness of things.

· Engage in a dialogue instead of an open altercation: Any impulsive action on your part to take your boss head on will lead to deteriorating circumstances for you. You could well make use of censure, reproach and disapproval as an opportunity to discuss various concerns and objectives; and solve thorny issues, requesting assistance, if necessary. If it is your work that comes in for denigration, it implies that your boss harbours affixation on how needs to be done. Under such situations, seeking guidance on how to go about and bring improvement is a viable option.

· Dealing with a new boss: A new boss may lay down new working procedures and that may generate some resentment. There is always hostility to change and most employees generally keep doing their jobs as hitherto fore till such time the new boss intervenes and disapproves the entire working methodology. Therefore, you need to display foresight and to avoid any subsequent admonition or rebuke, get on the same wicket as your boss. Any assignment can be undertaken in numerous ways and hence, discussing its modalities ab initio will help you to comprehend your boss’ perception and also making yours known to him. You need to be cognisant of what your boss likes and dislikes.

· Realise that you cannot alter your boss: The very fact that your boss is difficult implies that his personality is such and that you can do nothing substantial to alter his stance, attitude and conduct. Your efforts should be directed to bring about a change in how you regard his comportment. Just because he happens to be your boss, you should not brand him as thoughtless and imprudent; but if you persist with such an approach, you are more liable to anger yourself and develop animosity towards him.

· Maintain a professional stance at all times: Professionalism entails going ahead with assigned tasks in an obedient manner. Differences apart, you need to realise that as a subordinate, you have no option but to comply with the directions of your boss. You also need to introspect and assess your own outputs, requesting feedback from your colleagues, if required. There could be people who support you and this is bound to make your boss take a relook at things and alter his behaviour.

· Reporting to higher-ups should be last option: If you do so, you are increasing disturbing workplace harmony. You may be viewed as a back-stabber and your boss could be inspired to harbour a silent grudge against you. Whistle-blowing may not be seen in positive light by even some of your co-workers. Sitting across the table with your boss should be your first priority.

Remember that your charter of responsibilities apart, your job is also to make yourself as flexible, alert, brainy and adept in as many situations as possible. And such traits are required to be displayed in your dealings with your boss – good or difficult.