Employee Insights Volume 23: How to handle a toxic boss without it getting messy
Have you ever had a job you liked, where you showed showed up every day, gave it your best, but your boss just made it miserable? Dealing with a boss like this can drain your energy, kill your motivation, and make an 8-hour day feel like an eternity.
While quitting is always on the table, its not always an immediate option when you still have bills to pay. Afterall, what if you really like your job? How do you go fromsurviving to thriving without hurting your career? Today’s Masterclass Monday breaks down the types of toxic bosses and how to deal with their bad approach.
The micromanager
This person doesn’t trust their employees and is constantly hovering over your work area making sure things are going their way. Some of these managers might even be expecting you to make a mistake. Working with these types of managers feels like a anxious energy around you that makes you and the team feel tense!
The credit thief
These types of managers take your ideas as their own, and doesn’t credit you when getting a big win. This can be very discouraging when you know the hard work you are putting in. These managers see their team as stepping stones to the top and look to succeed even if its at your expense.
The Ghost Boss
What’s their name again? Have you forgotten what your boss even looks like? The only time when you see these managers is when you see them leave! Funny enough, these managers pop up when senior managers are in town and show up especially when its time to blame someone else for a mistake or low productivity.
The Bully
This person yells, mean mugs you, and looks to rule with fear. You do it because I say so. These managers are always in a bad mood and don’t lead well at all. Instead, they point, demand results but never provide any actual value to the team. The only reason the team responds is because of fear and not wanting to get a verbal lashing by this person.
Did you find the one that most relates to your boss? Good! Now its time to learn to deal with these people. Keep in mind, peoples management style is also a reflection of their self-image and not an indication of your worth as an employee. With that said, its never personal, this is your job, and it will have hurdles and challenges like these and others throughout your career.
Beat the micromanager at his own game.
Proactively update your manager via their preferred way of communication (face to face, email, video call), this allows you to control the narrative and regain some much needed autonomy of your work. More importantly, it eases the anxiety of your manager who can then back off and let you get back to work in peace.
No better security from a credit thief like Good Documentation
Many times we are good hearted, good natured people who trust others until proven otherwise. Mayne that was you trysting your boss who took your idea as their own. Once you know this to be their style, get in the habit of documenting your progress, ideas, reports, etc. When providing updates, be sure to send a follow up recap email highlighting your involvement, suggestions, and initiatives, while CC’ing any other relevant managers or colleagues.
Reversing the disappearing act
If you know you can’t count on their presence, clarify and document their expectations in terms of work to be done, work order, and deadlines to avoid any type of scapegoating. Send recap emails to quantify the work you completed and any job related challenges you need their support with in order to successfully complete the job. This way, their can be no confusion you asked for help to no avail.
Disarming your bully
Have a black and white relationship with this person. Limit your emotional reactions this person is looking for in order to throw their job title around. If they speak inappropriately at you, stay composed, and politely yet firmly tell them they need to readjust their tone and approach while directing themselves at you. Proceed to address the situation with facts and suggestions on how to move forward. Set boundaries and limit your interaction with these people to scheduled business meetings. Be sure to document every interaction with them as well.
These aren’t magic bullets that will fix your toxic relationship with your boss at work. If you are dreading going to work everyday, your confidence is gone, they limit your growth chances, and HR isn’t doing anything, it might be time to look elsewhere. No boss, or job will ever be worth your peace of mind. These tips can help understand their patterns, and protect you at work. A bad boss does not have to control you at work.