Work your way around a rude boss
OFFICE TALK<br><br>Many people at some point in life have to deal with a difficult boss. Difficult supervisors vary in personality from being pushy or rude, to being downright abusive.
OFFICE TALK
By Joel Ogwang
Many people at some point in life have to deal with a difficult boss. Difficult supervisors vary in personality from being pushy or rude, to being downright abusive.
They all instill fear. And this fear, says Jonas Tumwesigye, a lecturer in psychology at the Uganda Christian University Mukono, puts workers on tension.
“When you instill fear, you do not yield good results. Respect is part of motivation,†Tumwesigye says.
Augustus Nuwagaba, a development consultant, says a feared boss lacks managerial skills.
Such bosses have not been trained on how to relate with people and they think shouting is the best way to prove a point.
“Respected bosses lead by example, not by ordering or bullying, Nuwagaba says.â€
He says there is a difference between a boss’s legitimate criticism of an employee and a boss’s abuse of an employee.
Most workers do not resent criticism if it is given in a way that does not make them feel inferior, says Nuwagaba. A modern manager should understand there are better ways of getting the work done than barking at employees.
Dealing with a difficult boss
Tristan Loo, an experienced negotiator and conflict resolution expert, in his online article, How To Deal With a Difficult Boss, gives the following tips:
- Most people are scared of having a discussion with their boss concerning their abusive behaviour because they fear losing their job. Before you deal with any type of conflict, have a plan B in case things do not work out.
- Never react to verbal abuse or harsh criticism with emotion as this will get you into more trouble. Remain calm and acknowledge their power by saying, “You’re right, I’m sorry.†By doing this, you deny him a chance of lashing back at you.
- Discuss rather than confront. When your boss criticises you, do not react out of emotion or become confrontational as this breeds more conflict.
Instead, use their criticism as a topic for discussion on interests, goals and problem-solving techniques and ask them for advice.
- Sometimes conflict occurs when employees do not know their boss’s expectations. Instead of waiting for their criticism, be clear from the very beginning on how your boss wants things done so that there is no miscommunication.
- Know that there is little you can do to change your boss. Change the way you view their behaviour.
- Keep your professional face on. You do not have to make your boss your friend, you do not have to like your boss as a person, but you have to remain professional, get the job done and carry out their instructions as a subordinate.
- Get opinions from other co-workers about your performance and see if there is any warrant to the criticisms of your supervisor before you criticise their opinions.
- Gather additional support. If others share in your concern, then you have the power of numbers to give you additional persuasion power over your boss.
He might fire one of you, but he will look like an idiot if he tries to fire all of you.
- Do not go up the chain of command unless it is a last resort. Doing this only increases conflict in the workplace. Try to discuss issues with your supervisor first.
- It is easy to criticise your superiors, but criticisms often lead to resentment and hostility. Everyone likes a pat on the back for good behaviour. Strive to watch for good behaviour from your supervisor and compliment them on that.
- Document everything. This will become your ammunition should a complaint ever be filed down the road.
- Do not bring work into your personal life because this will add to your stress. Keep your professional life separate from your personal life.
Additional information from the Internet
By Joel Ogwang
Many people at some point in life have to deal with a difficult boss. Difficult supervisors vary in personality from being pushy or rude, to being downright abusive.
They all instill fear. And this fear, says Jonas Tumwesigye, a lecturer in psychology at the Uganda Christian University Mukono, puts workers on tension.
“When you instill fear, you do not yield good results. Respect is part of motivation,†Tumwesigye says.
Augustus Nuwagaba, a development consultant, says a feared boss lacks managerial skills.
Such bosses have not been trained on how to relate with people and they think shouting is the best way to prove a point.
“Respected bosses lead by example, not by ordering or bullying, Nuwagaba says.â€
He says there is a difference between a boss’s legitimate criticism of an employee and a boss’s abuse of an employee.
Most workers do not resent criticism if it is given in a way that does not make them feel inferior, says Nuwagaba. A modern manager should understand there are better ways of getting the work done than barking at employees.
Dealing with a difficult boss
Tristan Loo, an experienced negotiator and conflict resolution expert, in his online article, How To Deal With a Difficult Boss, gives the following tips:
- Most people are scared of having a discussion with their boss concerning their abusive behaviour because they fear losing their job. Before you deal with any type of conflict, have a plan B in case things do not work out.
- Never react to verbal abuse or harsh criticism with emotion as this will get you into more trouble. Remain calm and acknowledge their power by saying, “You’re right, I’m sorry.†By doing this, you deny him a chance of lashing back at you.
- Discuss rather than confront. When your boss criticises you, do not react out of emotion or become confrontational as this breeds more conflict.
Instead, use their criticism as a topic for discussion on interests, goals and problem-solving techniques and ask them for advice.
- Sometimes conflict occurs when employees do not know their boss’s expectations. Instead of waiting for their criticism, be clear from the very beginning on how your boss wants things done so that there is no miscommunication.
- Know that there is little you can do to change your boss. Change the way you view their behaviour.
- Keep your professional face on. You do not have to make your boss your friend, you do not have to like your boss as a person, but you have to remain professional, get the job done and carry out their instructions as a subordinate.
- Get opinions from other co-workers about your performance and see if there is any warrant to the criticisms of your supervisor before you criticise their opinions.
- Gather additional support. If others share in your concern, then you have the power of numbers to give you additional persuasion power over your boss.
He might fire one of you, but he will look like an idiot if he tries to fire all of you.
- Do not go up the chain of command unless it is a last resort. Doing this only increases conflict in the workplace. Try to discuss issues with your supervisor first.
- It is easy to criticise your superiors, but criticisms often lead to resentment and hostility. Everyone likes a pat on the back for good behaviour. Strive to watch for good behaviour from your supervisor and compliment them on that.
- Document everything. This will become your ammunition should a complaint ever be filed down the road.
- Do not bring work into your personal life because this will add to your stress. Keep your professional life separate from your personal life.
Additional information from the Internet