A positive work environment starts from the top down. When a manager is passionate, sets a good example, is connected to their employees, and encourages innovation and collaboration, everyone is able to thrive. But when a manager fails to do these things, the whole office can suffer.
What do you do when you disagree with your manager or when your manager seems unfit for their position? Often it’s hard to stand up to your boss when you know they control your livelihood. However, you can often get your point across without being confrontational.
To help you “manage up” and figure out how to deal with your unpleasant boss, GetVoIP created an infographic of 8 types of toxic bosses and how to deal with them.
Though it can be intimidating to stand up to your manager, you can often do so in strategic ways that benefit not just you, but also your coworkers and the company as a whole. The first step to determining the best way to interact with your manager is to understand their motives. Are they intimidated by you? Are they introverted? Do they desire attention?
Each of the toxic managers above has specific antidotes, but there are also general strategies for dealing with difficult managers and taking ownership of your work.
- Clarify project goals and expectations in writing
- Ask questions when directions are unclear
- Document what you have contributed to each project
- Anticipate your manager’s requests — be proactive
- Deliver quality work
- Communicate regularly, even if you get few responses
- Take initiative and act as a leader
About the Author:
Reuben Yonatan is the founder of GetVoIP, a leading VoIP provider comparison resource. As an entrepreneur and tech enthusiast, Reuben’s expertise is in helping small to mid-size business owners build, maintain, and scale their communication infrastructure.
