We have all had them: the boss that just doesn't like you, finds fault with everything you do and seems determined to push you out.
Having a bad boss can be a miserable experience and often results in your resignation. Remember: people leave people not companies! Having a bad boss is the number one reason why people quit. It's an easy solution, but what if you love your job? How do you survive a bad boss? Try these techniques:
- Formalize feedback. Make sure that any feedback given verbally is followed up by a written email. Generally people are gentler when they have to put something down in writing.
- Insist on specific recommendations. Feedback without specific recommendations is just criticism. Insist that you boss explains what you can do to improve. Make sure this is concrete and actionable. You can then do what is required.
- Explain how you feel. This can be hard if you feel the relationship has totally broken down and you may need to involve your HR Manager. The most useful technique here is the "When you do x, it makes me feel y". So if you are feeling excluded, you can say: "When you don't invite me along, it makes me feel unvalued as a member of the team."
- Hold them to company values. Most organizations have values that they expect of all staff irrespective of grade. If you feel that they are not adhering to these values, tell them. This is difficult but if done calmly and without anger, it can help keep the relationship more professional and less personalised.
- Record good feedback. Every bit of good feedback you have is ammunition against a bad boss's prejudices against you. Get as much feedback as you can. Make sure you ask for feedback from those more senior than your boss.
- Find an ally. The more senior your ally is, the better. Most organizations have internal mentor programmes. Get on it. Eventually your problems with your boss will come up.
- If all else fails, request a change in line manager. Only possible in large organizations but asking to change line managers is often a simple way to sidestep this problem.
Having a bad boss is a horrible experience but by following the steps above you can manage the relationship without having to quit.
What other steps could you take?