Dealing With An Over Demanding Boss At Work
Every job has a boss, whether you are at the top of that proverbial ladder or the bottom of that proverbial ladder. The job of the boss is to get the staff to do their best, but there is always the boss that goes too far. An overly demanding boss can actually make your life extremely miserable and difficult.
Typically, this type of boss can cause a spike in the stress at work and can definitely cause a decline in the morale of the employees. Oneof the things the boss might demand is unreasonable deadlines. Most of the time, they are not even aware what hours will be needed to meet their objectives. They show very little interest in your well-being and even when you do an excellent job, give you very little recognition for what you have done.
Tips for dealing with an over demanding boss can include:
1. Do not take it personally. Do your job and do it well.
Focus on developing your own skills and see the difficult boss as part of the challenge
2. Consider the reasons your boss is being over demanding.
Make sure you understand demands and pressure you boss is facing and what may cause them to appear unreasonable.
3. Attempt to get to know your boss.
Invest in developing a relationship with your boss, discover their interests and look for overlaps.
4. Confront your boss calmly and professionally. Be loyal to your boss.
Discuss the situation, explain to them how you are feeling and ask for support
5. Listen to your boss and repeat.
Actively listen to ensure you fully understand the instructions and requirements
6. Remain positive. Assist and support your boss’s professional goals.
Be a great ‘follower’, see to empower and enable your boss
7. Do not become a problem-maker, but rather a problem-solver. Take the initiative.
See every problem as an opportunity to build skills and experience
8. Celebrate your successes.
Very few people will make it through their professional lives without having to deal with a demanding boss. Learning how to deal with them can help you to get ahead in the business world. Always remember that a demanding boss is not always a bad boss. Your boss may simply feel that you are capable of handling the demands put on you and this can be a good thing for your career.
If you feel your boss is actually being abusive, harassing you or making unrealistic demands, consult your human resource department. They can help you to take the appropriate steps in order to correct the situation. There are rare circumstances when leaving the job is necessary.
