Do You Have a Difficult Boss?

An article in The Dallas Morning News – July 17, 2011, issue edition on page 1J, “Tips to Deal with Difficult Bosses” from the Creator Syndicate discusses five types of difficult bosses.

The article quotes a study by Office Team, a staffing service organization that questioned 441 employees.  The survey found that 46 percent of respondents have worked for an unreasonable boss.  Among these employees, 35 percent of the employees stayed with the organization and tried to deal with the boss, 24 percent remained with the organization and suffered through distress, and others decided to time to leave the organization.  Further, 27 percent quit when they found another job, and 11 percent could not take it anymore and quit without another job opportunity.

Here are the five types of difficult bosses and suggested coping strategies:

1.    The micromanager: This type of boss will literally look over your shoulder to make sure the duty is performed to his/her idea of perfection. Strategy: Show your boss that you can be trusted with your assignments by making all deadlines and maintaining an eye for details while keeping the manager updated on your progress.

2.    The poor communicator: This type of boss doesn’t give direction. Deadlines and objectives fail to be communicated clearly. Strategy: When working on an assignment, ask to make sure that you aren’t missing any important information. If confused, request clarification.

3.    The bully: This type of boss wants it only one way.  Many times, this boss can be bad-tempered and become easily frustrated. Strategy: You must defend yourself.  If you have a suggestion, support your idea with reasoning, but remain in a calm manner.  Getting angry will only make the situation worse.

4.    The saboteur: This type of boss doesn’t acknowledge hard work performed by others.  Workers are rarely identified for a job well done.  This boss will take praise for employees’ successes and blame others if they fail.  Strategy: Try to display your contributions to upper management.

5.    The mixed bag: This boss is constantly changing – a friend one day but turns on you the next.  Strategy: Try not to be affected by the manager’s mood swings.  When you detect a manager is in a bad mood, avoid him/her as much as possible.

I think that an important teaching point for managers and aspiring managers is to make sure your management style is not one of these five.  As a matter of fact, you should use the opposite approach in managing.

 

 Can you relate to these types of difficult bosses?  I can.   Please share your experience with other readers of this blog.

Thanks!

Glyn