Tom Hanks’ hero Forrest Gump in the movie of the same name noticed that life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what’s inside. This law also operates in a regular office – you never know which boss is hiding behind the massive door of the office.
If your boss has not yet rolled you hysterics and did not load up your ears with additional responsibilities, consider that you just got lucky. If your manager has already turned the office into an abode of evil, then you know what it is like to endure clenching your teeth. And only after marrying an oligarch, opening your business or changing jobs, you can tell him all your thoughts in person and slam the door.
But until you meet the oligarch, you will have to look for a special approach. How to survive in the company of a terrible boss, the correspondent of SE explained.
Chiefs-introverts, with whom it is impossible to talk, the chiefs of workaholics, from which not to hide, is only part of the long list. They make you nervous, worried and sobbing in the corridor. What to do if your boss not only does not give you pleasure from work, but also hinders the immediate process, reducing his productivity tricks with his antics? We have identified several of the most common types. Find among them your boss and find out how to get along with him.
1. Enraged bull. He has a cool temper, and everyone knows about it. But sometimes newcomers or something offended fall into the line of fire. And then escape whoever can. He explodes like a bomb, screams and insults employees, causing the occasional witness to blush. The chief of this type, as a rule, is unhappy, and he rarely comes up with praising his subordinates.
If the wrath of the superior passes to you, then do not leave your place, because meekness covers also great offenses.
(Ecclesiastes, 10, 4)
What should I do? When the boss screams at you, in 99% of cases the best reaction is her absence. Let him know that you can hear him – “I understand”, “Thank you for the information. ”But do not roll your eyes and do not press your lips – you will cause a new storm of anger. In such moments it’s hard to think about good things. Do this after you leave the office. But there are times when an angry boss demands answers to his questions. If you are summoned to the carpet in the presence of other employees and ask specific questions, speak in a low voice, answer as detailed as possible. So you will look like an adult, calm, confident person unlike …
2. Restless controller. There are bosses who demand too much from their subordinates. The chief inspector is not one of these – he is so sure that you can not cope, which prevents you at all stages of the work. He desperately tries to get into the process and keeps track of your every move, constantly distracting and annoying. Perhaps he himself suffers from too demanding superiors. Or you simply do not like him for some reason (this also happens! ), And he wants to make sure that you have coped with the work.
Do not be upset if the bosses do not like you, because they may fall in love. But be wary if the authorities love you, because then it can fall out of love. (Alisher Faiz)
What should I do? Tell your boss that you would like to work even better, and discuss with him ways of improvement. Explain to him that you would do better if you knew more about your work. Let him talk about his office feats and rich experience. And you, in turn, thank and promise that you will report on your successes. Let your troubled boss know that you can be trusted and, instead of your modest deeds, give you the opportunity to do more important and significant things. From time to time you will have to write a written report on the work done. But soon, having found calm, he will relax and stop bothering you.
3. The Iron Lady. Do you remember the editor-monster from the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”? From her employees, she demanded something that a normal person simply can not do. Her details and excuses did not interest her. Among chefs of this type there are also men. If your boss is from this breed, he does not ask what happened – he asks who did it. Instead of trying to figure out the problem, he is looking for a scapegoat. And so the unfortunate is clearly not going to be well.
Of the two contradictory directions, both are fulfilled. (Second Brintnell Law)
What should I do? If you are regularly attacked by a boss and requires an impossible task, psychologists recommend making your schedule – a list of the things you do every day and the time you spend on them every day. Then you take this sheet and come up with it to your demanding boss with the words: “You know, I’m worried about your last assignment. Perhaps, you will help me to understand? “. If you’re lucky, less important things will get to someone else, and you will take on the most important. If not, the authorities will still note your diligence and hard work. And when this happens, you can count on not only leniency, but even to increase.
4. The amateurish invisible. He either just does not want to work, or does not know very well about his work. The best way to get rid of this problem is to disappear. As a result, you drag all your work, both your own and others’ work. And the boss occasionally appears and, frowning, eyebrows, wonder what you have achieved during this time. This is surprising, but the main problem of this type of leader is his inability to lead.
If the boss does not do us any harm, then this is no small good. (Pierre Augustin Beaumarchais)
What to do? It will be easier for you if you accept such a style of leadership (more precisely, its absence). Try to understand the principles of the work of your boss, periodically ask about what else you could do. Invisible writers appreciate written reports. It is not necessary to communicate daily, but if you send a report on the work done once a week or month, he will like it. In addition, the head of this type does not want to delve into the details of the work process, and the news that you have finished working on the project will be very welcome. Try to adapt to your boss. In the end, this is not the worst option.
And finally
Be careful in discussing bosses with other employees. The one who yesterday nodded sympathetically and assented, tomorrow can go to the boss’s office with very interesting information.
When you come to a new job or start a new project, be sure that you have correctly interpreted what is expected of you. Do not hesitate to make notes while talking with the boss and ask questions. The bosses do not like excuses like “I did not understand …” and “I thought …”.
If on the third day of work, dismissal seems to be your best option, do not rush. Try to find an approach to the boss, no matter how terrible it may be.
Frequent change of superiors is little better than frequent change of husbands. Just imagine: every time you have to go through a period of “courtship”, when you try to please the bosses, look in the best possible way, then the lapping period begins … If the situation is not critical, find out the specifics of your boss, find out his strengths and weaknesses and … continue to perform own responsibilities. Successful work and good bosses!
