My Top 10 Ways To Deal With A Bad Boss

samcglynn May 20, 2012

First, understand that your boss may not know he is a bad boss. A hands-off manager may not realize that failure to provide any direction or feedback is a symptom of a bad boss. Instead, consider these 10 ways to deal with a bad boss.

1. Be nice to your boss. Never be rude or give your boss a reason to talk bad about you. Be a better person than your boss.

2. Avoid complaining. Talk to your boss but don’t yell or complain—your boss will win the argument. Tell your boss what you need in terms of direction, feedback and support. Be polite and focus on your needs. Telling your boss he’s a bad boss is counterproductive and won’t help you meet your goals. Learn to communicate with your boss.

3. Document your work. Do a self-check. Make sure it’s not you and your boss does not have solid reasons or justifications for their behavior. Then keep track of what you accomplish.

4. Be objective. Communicate with your boss objectively, with evidence of your accomplishments. Learn to manage your time and note what you get done so you are prepared to confront your boss with data and not opinions.

5. Clarify your performance measures. Use objective measures. Anticipate what your boss is looking for and make sure you are focused on those measures.

6. Don’t burn bridges. Be Popular- Get to know other people in your company. Be nice to everyone. Especially other managers. Be seen as a problem-solver and make sure your boss’s peers know it. This could help if your boss talks about how bad you are but others see you as helpful.

7. Be careful when talking to HR or your boss’s boss. Don’t expect them to solve the problem. The problem with going to higher ups or HR to complain about a bad boss is that they will support the boss most of the time. Once you complain you will be on your boss’ radar until you’re fired or you become miserable enough to quit.

8. Learn to pick you battles. Timing is everything in life. Don’t worry about the small stuff. Take charge of your life and learn to control what you can.

9. Laugh and use your humor to cope. Don’t take life so seriously, but have your resume ready. If your life under this boss is really uncomfortable then you should start looking for a new job. If all else fails, you have to transfer or leave.

10. Learn from the experience. If it did not work out, then don’t let it happen again. Understand the warning signs and look for those in the next job situation. Learn to anticipate what your boss needs, document what you get done, be popular, be nice, avoid complaining, and most of all be objective.

10 Ways to Deal with a Bad Boss

1. Be nice to your boss.

2. Avoid complaining.

3. Document your work.

4. Be objective.

5. Clarify your performance measures.

6. Don’t burn bridges.

7. Be careful when talking to HR or your boss’s boss.

8. Learn to pick you battles.

9. Laugh and use your humor to cope.

10. Learn from the experience.