Dealing with a nagging boss
THERE is nothing as annoying as a boss with an insatiable ego. You try your best to carry out assigned tasks ‘satisfactorily’ only to be told that your efforts are wanting. Hardly does he/she appreciate your efforts. Dealing with a nagging boss is one the most challenging experiences at work.
By Aidah Nanyonjo
THERE is nothing as annoying as a boss with an insatiable ego. You try your best to carry out assigned tasks ‘satisfactorily’ only to be told that your efforts are wanting. Hardly does he/she appreciate your efforts. Dealing with a nagging boss is one the most challenging experiences at work.
Workplaces are full of all kinds of personalities. But how best you to deal with them, especially your bosses, determines how comfortable and productive you will be.
Julius Kateega, a human resources consultant with Competitive Choices, says most times what employees consider as nagging bosses results from unmet expectations.
“When the employer and employee do not share a common vision, mission and objectives, there is always going to be room for nagging,†he warns.
In order to deal with a nagging boss, Kateega says, one must listen carefully.
Most errors are preceded by “I thought you said†excuses, he adds. When you do not listen carefully, it is obvious that you will not deliver as expected, creating room for nagging.
“Understand the organisation’s goals, mission and vision and be sure you break them into personal expectations from your boss.
“When you get this right, you avoid complaints and arguments from your boss,†argues Kateega.
Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counsellor and organisational psychologist at Bank of Uganda, says before accusing your boss of nagging one should re-examine themselves first.
“Sometimes the problem will be with you because no boss tolerates sub-standard work.â€
“Ask yourself why he/she finds fault with your work or tells you to repeat it many times,†Ssenyonyi advises.
Some people when hurt, will keep quiet and suffer silently. There is also the confrontational lot that always craves to prove a point. They want to ‘force’ the boss to tow their line. Kateega advises against being confrontational because in the end the subordinate is most likely to be the loser.
“Nothing is as annoying as trying to fight with someone who won’t give in. When you realise that the tempers are high, you should know that that is not the right time to give excuses even if they are genuine.â€
A simple “sorry†after a clash of egos and flaring of tempers between you and your boss might save you the excessive wrath from your boss.
“When the ‘big man/woman’ cools down they may realise they were wrong, that makes you a winner,†says Kateega.
We are all prone to mistake, but the way we view and deal with them differs from how our bosses will react.
Naturally, no person likes others to water-down their achievements. Imagine spending a whole day trying to piece together a report only for the boss to call it ‘absolute rubbish’!
“Definitely, you cannot tell your boss to shut up. Try to take criticism positively. If you deem the criticism personal, excessive and unnecessary, discuss it with their supervisor,†Ssenyonyi counsels.
Kateega adds that in most cases, accidents and mistakes at places of work are inevitable. However, they can be minimised.
“If you are not sure how your boss wants something done, ask.
“This will save you from his/her wrath when things go wrong, or doing something you do not believe in,†Ssenyonyi says.
“If you do not agree with your boss on how to do a task, first tell them you appreciate their proposal before you proposing alternative ways of doing it.
“You also have to understand that some bosses assumes that whatever they propose works.
“Therefore, telling him outright that it won’t will cause arguments.â€
Ssenyonyi adds that it is important to keep the communication lines open if bosses and subordinates are to work in harmony.
“Ask for some time to talk to him and explain yourself.
“Try to find out why you are always on the wrong side. Ask your boss how you can perform better to meet their standards,†Ssenyonyi advises.
THERE is nothing as annoying as a boss with an insatiable ego. You try your best to carry out assigned tasks ‘satisfactorily’ only to be told that your efforts are wanting. Hardly does he/she appreciate your efforts. Dealing with a nagging boss is one the most challenging experiences at work.
Workplaces are full of all kinds of personalities. But how best you to deal with them, especially your bosses, determines how comfortable and productive you will be.
Julius Kateega, a human resources consultant with Competitive Choices, says most times what employees consider as nagging bosses results from unmet expectations.
“When the employer and employee do not share a common vision, mission and objectives, there is always going to be room for nagging,†he warns.
In order to deal with a nagging boss, Kateega says, one must listen carefully.
Most errors are preceded by “I thought you said†excuses, he adds. When you do not listen carefully, it is obvious that you will not deliver as expected, creating room for nagging.
“Understand the organisation’s goals, mission and vision and be sure you break them into personal expectations from your boss.
“When you get this right, you avoid complaints and arguments from your boss,†argues Kateega.
Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counsellor and organisational psychologist at Bank of Uganda, says before accusing your boss of nagging one should re-examine themselves first.
“Sometimes the problem will be with you because no boss tolerates sub-standard work.â€
“Ask yourself why he/she finds fault with your work or tells you to repeat it many times,†Ssenyonyi advises.
Some people when hurt, will keep quiet and suffer silently. There is also the confrontational lot that always craves to prove a point. They want to ‘force’ the boss to tow their line. Kateega advises against being confrontational because in the end the subordinate is most likely to be the loser.
“Nothing is as annoying as trying to fight with someone who won’t give in. When you realise that the tempers are high, you should know that that is not the right time to give excuses even if they are genuine.â€
A simple “sorry†after a clash of egos and flaring of tempers between you and your boss might save you the excessive wrath from your boss.
“When the ‘big man/woman’ cools down they may realise they were wrong, that makes you a winner,†says Kateega.
We are all prone to mistake, but the way we view and deal with them differs from how our bosses will react.
Naturally, no person likes others to water-down their achievements. Imagine spending a whole day trying to piece together a report only for the boss to call it ‘absolute rubbish’!
“Definitely, you cannot tell your boss to shut up. Try to take criticism positively. If you deem the criticism personal, excessive and unnecessary, discuss it with their supervisor,†Ssenyonyi counsels.
Kateega adds that in most cases, accidents and mistakes at places of work are inevitable. However, they can be minimised.
“If you are not sure how your boss wants something done, ask.
“This will save you from his/her wrath when things go wrong, or doing something you do not believe in,†Ssenyonyi says.
“If you do not agree with your boss on how to do a task, first tell them you appreciate their proposal before you proposing alternative ways of doing it.
“You also have to understand that some bosses assumes that whatever they propose works.
“Therefore, telling him outright that it won’t will cause arguments.â€
Ssenyonyi adds that it is important to keep the communication lines open if bosses and subordinates are to work in harmony.
“Ask for some time to talk to him and explain yourself.
“Try to find out why you are always on the wrong side. Ask your boss how you can perform better to meet their standards,†Ssenyonyi advises.