October, the season of spooks, witches, vampires, and ghosts. Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. The heat of summer begins to cool, football season arrives, and of course, out comes the boots and scarves.
While the pumpkin spice lattes might just be the thing you need to get you through your days, many will struggle with issues in the workplace. Those issues come home and cause even more chaos with family and friends. More often than not, individuals who are unhappy at work may be working for a monster of a boss.
We’ve all had them. That person that wakes each day trying to ruin your life and kill every career aspiration that you’ve ever had? Okay, maybe it's not that bad. Chances are, even the worst managers aren’t out to get you. Failure to lead? That could be the issue. Was your manager promoted to management because he or she had all the skills and talents that great managers have? Probably not.
Most managers find themselves in management roles because it’s the next logical step on their ladder. Perhaps they were successful salesmen, scientists, or teachers. Before you go forward with your plans to line your supervisor's chair with thumbtacks, here are 3 ways to overcome the fear you have of your Big, Bad, Scary Boss.
The Mean Boss
Gain some perspective. If you have ever read “The Five Languages of Love” you probably know, that it helps to look at the world through their eyes.. Knowing the language your boss speaks is important. Even if it isn’t natural for you, consider it a challenge to find out what makes them tick and more importantly, where their talents are. I know in my own career, reminding myself that each colleague or manager I have is cut from a cloth much different than my own has helped me keep from taking things personally.
The Favorites Player
Avoid the office politics and games. If you feel like your boss plays favorites, focus your energy on your clients or the work that you have been hired to do. Remind yourself of your own talents, your goals, and your charge. You don’t have to be the “favorite” to do excellent work. Also, step back and observe why your boss may be drawn to a particular colleague. Chances are, your manager is simply drawn to a person that they relate to. While it might not seem fair or equitable, let it go. Also, it isn’t a bad thing to keep a healthy distance from management. Set boundaries for yourself and focus on the work. Do great things, be innovative. Let your let shine through measurable impact.
The Micro-Manager
If your manager wants to know your every move, don’t give them a chance to ask. It is quite common for someone who works with a micro-manager to begin to protect themselves and their work by hiding or avoiding. A better approach would be to shower them with communication. Let them know what they need to know before they ask. Even when it seems a waste of time and energy, let your micromanager know what you are planning, before you get to work. Start with lots of details and then back off of your communication if it feels right.
Great work often happens as a result of good chemistry. It is totally possible that you may not have chemistry with your supervisor. Wellness in the workplace starts with having partners, collaborators, mentors, and managers that support you in your work and professional development. If you aren’t feeling the love, you may need to go find it elsewhere.