Understanding & working with difficult boss

Are they human beings like us? Do they really care for us? Are they really always right?

Are they human beings like us? Perhaps yes. It is the imperfection of being human that makes them sometimes do things that are not likeable. They are in different role as boss than what they were as subordinate few months or years ago. May be they have not realized that leadership is not same as functional expertize in their particular field which has helped them become the manager. May be they feel not so sure about the expertize required for assignments. May be they feel little insecure about you doing your job too well and taking up their job. They want to avoid pain of having to look after their family without present job in hand. Please understand and accept that becoming boss or manager does not make him or her Super human. They will require time to grow their skills and confidence required in their present roles. Try to support them in their assignments whole heartedly. Do not make them feel that you out to prove that you are smarter than him to his seniors.

Do they really care for us? Like all human beings, they do care for things that affects them, including people. When they are critical and verbally abusive do not take it personally and emotionally. Stress can make everybody do things that they may not be proud of latter. When they feel the heat from their bosses or customers, they may not always be in position to absorb everything. The anger & frustration sometimes gets transmitted to their team members through their negative words & behavior. When such occasion arrives try not to defend or react immediately. May be he/she does not mean what they are saying. Its just the passing of steam when things have become too hot for them to handle. If you show some understanding to their situation and their sensitive issues you may win their trust and guidance for rest of your life.

Are they really always right? Well yes & no. No because, no human is perfect no matter how rich or powerful or authoritative he may be. There are going to be errors in judgment that sometimes will feel obvious to you. But remember he or she ultimately owns the responsibility for getting things done. They also have right to commit mistakes and learn from them. Making few mistakes here & there does not make him less competent. It is important for the team to stand in line behind your manager in your journey towards the selected goal. Your advice can be served only in form of gentle suggestion along with supporting logic & reasoning without any expectation that your suggestion would be accepted and used no matter how useful you think it to be. If you think you cannot obey order of your captain do not travel as crew of his ship otherwise when you spend time arguing with each other over disagreements, the ship may hit the rock and sink.

Do invest good amount of efforts in understanding and managing your relationship with your boss as it will ultimately go a long way in building your career.