How to Deal With a Bad Boss

Step 1

FOCUS ON DOING A GOOD JOB

Do your job well and produce results. If you have a bad boss and feel micro-managed, it may be the result of past results that you may not have met in the past (however fair or unfair that might be), and this is a reaction of your boss to those failed expectations. If you can focus on doing your job well going forward and produce more positive results consistently, you should see an improvement in your relationship with your boss.

Step 2

TALK TO YOUR BOSS HONESTLY AND RESPECTFULLY

If you do Step 1 and still feel mistreated, I recommend confronting your boss openly and honestly about the situation. Ask to meet him in a private setting where the two of you can speak to each other candidly. If your relationship is still on relatively good terms, perhaps going to lunch could be productive. When speaking to your boss about how you feel, be prepared to give specific examples of the behavior you want changed and outline how your output and productivity is affected.

Step 3

OFFER POSITIVE SOLUTIONS

When presenting your case to your boss, offer solutions on how to improve your relationship. Perhaps the boss feels like he or she has to micro-manage because they need to feel informed at all times; if this is the case suggest daily updates from you at the same time each day that your boss can anticipate.

Step 4

SHOW YOUR BOSS THAT YOU ARE ON THE SAME SIDE

Place yourself in your boss' shoes and try to understand the drivers of your boss' bad behavior. Perhaps he or she is under tremendous stress from their boss and they need to produce their own results. If you can gain an understanding of what their perspective is, perhaps you can present yourself as a partner to them, showing them that you are on your boss' side and willing to help them succeed.

Tips & Warnings

Confronting your boss can be extremely intimidating. Find the courage to confront your boss positively and offer solutions. Be as upbeat and forward-looking as you can when discussing how to improve the relationship you share.

Remember that your boss is human too and think of how you would like to be addressed if the roles were reversed.

Avoid reaching out to your boss' superior. This move can backfire significantly and cause further harm should your boss perceive this to be "going over their head." This should be a last resort if you are absolutely at a loss on how to improve your work situation.

Keep conversations with your boss private from your co-workers. Respect the confidentiality between you and your boss to show that your boss can trust you.