It’s the nightmare scenario. You love the job, you love the company, you love the people, but you have the boss from the hell.
Someone who delights in making your life difficult, and who is unpredictable, moody and generally ranges being from a tyrant to a terrorist, depending on what day it is.
You don’t want to leave and the prospect of a transfer is as remote as this character becoming an angel overnight.
Well, don’t despair because there are things you can do to turn some of this to your advantage. As long as you keep your cool and pick your approach carefully.
It’s Not a Boss, It’s a Baby
Seeing things in a new light is a good way to preserve your sanity and can often be quite funny if you can develop the right language in your head.
Revisualise your boss as a child with a rather large nappy and a toothache. Because in reality, that’s what they may be.
Angry or aggressive people are mostly insecure because they are not doing something to their own satisfaction, like growing up. So if you can see this person as a rather irritable toddler, the chances are you’ll start managing the irritation with soothing tolerance and compassion.
And the success with all howling children, distraction is often the key. This may perplex your boss when they realise their tantrums are effectively being turned against them, especially if you can pull it off with a sweet smile and a bar of chocolate or a new toy.
See It Coming
The calmest people know how to manage the angriest bear because they can see the signs a day before it happens.
Terrible bosses are usually quite predictable, in that they have their drama moments set out in their head, often without realising. These are usually excuses that they program themselves with, so get to know them. It may be that the start of the week sets your boss off, or having to present some numbers that turns them into a raving lunatic.
Throw Water On Them
Please note, I don’t mean literally.
Bad bosses often like to exercise control in front of an audience.
So it can often leave them speechless if you can calmly and unexpectedly walk away when they get the megaphone or sarcasm gun out.
Just walk away, closing the door behind you to let them stew.
Feed Their Anger
In other words, play the distraction game. When you can feel the balloon about to burst, give the devil a cup of tea, or even better, a sandwich. It’s hard to be angry when you’re eating something nice.
Write The Wrongs
Make a list of the all the things your boss does that drives you bananas. Then schedule a meeting.
Be calm, but definitely be prepared for a meltdown. Show him how many of them were shouted, were sarcastic or just rude. And then let them know that this note just may find its way unto hands of someone higher up the food chain if the hell continues.
Find An Escape Route
If all of the above fail, it may be time to consider that Plan B. After all, no one deserves to be in workplace where they feel like they’re treading on eggshells.
Ending the work torment can be a lot easier than you think, and you can find a workplace where you are appreciated – believe it or not, there are nicer bosses out there!
By searching by location on local job boards, for example, ‘jobs in Peterborough’, allows you to find a comprehensive list of the many different jobs available within your area, which can all be refined by keyword and position-type.
Who knows, you may find a better job, better pay AND a better boss all in one go.
This article was written by Ella Mason, an experienced careers writer. Ella specialises in providing job and money advice for individuals.