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People don’t quit jobs, they quit managers. This is the number-one reason for dissatisfied employees to leave an otherwise great job. Bad bosses can cause huge problems for employees so you need to know how to deal with them effectively. Quitting a job should be your last resort. You can’t change how someone else acts, but you can change how you react to them. Here are some tips for staying positive and boosting your productivity while you’re working with a less than stellar boss.

  1. Take charge of communications.
    If they don’t communicate effectively, you need to take charge and initiate the right level of communication. Be proactive, make sure they know when you’re starting a project, where you are in the process, and what the expected outcome will be. Don’t wait for them to approach you with accusations or issues that you can’t solve.
  2. Do what you say you will.
    When you do let your boss know about a project you’re handling, make sure that you follow through in a timely manner. The worst ammunition you can give a bad boss is a reason to micromanage you or demand additional accountability. Never let a deadline pass you by.
  3. Don’t keep anything from them.
    One of the biggest traps you can fall into when it comes to working with a bad manager is to keep important information from them. Be transparent about everything you do. If you make any mistakes, don’t try to cover them up. Own up to them and do what you can to make them right as quickly as possible.
  4. Find out what makes them tick.
    One of the best ways to deal with a bad boss is to find out how they function as a person. The more you know about why they act like they do the better you can react to them. What motivates them? Do they react by yelling? Are they passive aggressive? All of this can help you determine the best ways to work with them.
  5. Document everything.
    With a bad boss, you want to ensure that you have a record of all the things you have done, how you’ve done them, and the outcomes. This will cover you in case of any issues within the organization that might affect your boss’s job or yours. In fact, if it comes down to that, your documentation may be the only thing standing between you and success.
  6. Be solutions oriented.
    Finally, make sure you don’t respond to requests or problems with complaining. Your role should always be to find solutions to the problem, and execute them. Don’t dwell on the negative. Don’t give the boss more reason to consider you an adversary. You’re not doing this for their gratification, but for your own.

Are you worried about a bad boss at your company? Harvard Resource Solutions is hiring for jobs in Troy MI so call today!

 

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