How to deal with a difficult boss: Practical workplace strategies

We all have colleagues that we don’t get along with. However, what if it is your boss that you don’t get on with?

According to a 2021 survey, three in ten workers say they do not get along with their boss.

Having a bad relationship with your boss can make the workplace incredibly difficult to navigate.

So, what do you do when you don’t get on with your boss? What are some tips for how to deal with a difficult boss and improve your workplace relationships?

How to deal with a difficult boss

Analyse the situation

Consider whether there’s a reason for your boss’s behaviour — or why you feel the way you do about them.

Stop and consider whether the issues you are concerned about are genuinely their fault, or influenced by factors outside of their control.

Identify what drives your boss

Understanding what your manager cares about or why they take specific actions can give you insights into their management style.

Adapt to their communication and leadership style.

Understanding your boss’s management style can help you adapt to it. For example, if you consider your boss to be a micromanager, check in with them regularly without being asked.

Stay one step ahead

Anticipate your manager’s needs and act before being asked. This can demonstrate self-motivation and highlight your capabilities.

Set Clear Boundaries

Work-life balance is crucial. If you don’t set boundaries, your boss will set them for you. Identify where you feel comfortable setting your limits and communicate these to your boss. For example, maybe you are uncomfortable working late Fridays or taking work calls on days off. However, it’s important to be respectful and polite in communicating your boundaries.

Try to understand their opinion

If you are struggling to understand what your boss expects of you, ask them for clarity. When they have a perspective that differs from yours, ask them to elaborate on their opinion. Try to practice active listening skills and take in their perspective before explaining yours. This can help to encourage mutual understanding.

Assist them where necessary

Is your boss stressed out by a heavy workload? Offer to take on tasks that could relieve some of their workload. This will demonstrate leadership skills as well as help you develop a relationship with your boss.

Remember, managers do not have all the answers

No one, no matter how senior a position they are in, knows everything or has all the answers. If your boss is encountering issues, assist them wherever you can.

Get outside help

If you have tried the above steps and your relationship with your boss still hasn’t improved, consider getting outside help. This could be the HR department of your workplace, or your support network outside work.

If nothing else works, maybe it is time to consider searching for a new job.

How to improve your relationship with your boss

• Align your priorities: If you don’t understand your manager’s priorities, ask for clarification.
• Be responsive: Managers often prefer to work with employees who are highly responsive.
• Be attentive to detail: Paying close attention to detail can help you improve your work output.
• Be a team player: Working positively with others can help you build relationships in the workplace.
• Portray a positive attitude: Avoid extensive criticism of your colleagues. When you make mistakes try to demonstrate how you have learned from them.

While we might not be best friends with our boss, maintaining a positive relationship is essential to maximise career success.

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