Dear All,
It's been a long time since I last posted anything - neither any query nor any HR material. Actually, I have been in a flux lately. I really need your advice as I am currently dealing with some serious trouble.
I am in HR, but after shifting to a new job, it's more of an admin job rather than HR, which was not communicated to me earlier. I was informed about something else but assigned something different. Despite this, I am continuing with it as I am pursuing my MBR-HR and thought it would be beneficial to stay with this company to gain experience until I finish my education and maintain stability. However, things are not going as planned.
Initially, my boss is very difficult to handle. He only knows how to shout and doesn't seem to have clear concepts. Moreover, if we take initiative and design something, he questions why we did it and states that we have no liberty to change things. On the other hand, if we don't take initiative, he says we need to be more proactive and come up with ideas. Once, we both agreed on our disagreements about the same issue. I even mentioned to him that sometimes I don't understand what he wants. However, since that argument, he has made my work environment a total mess. He constantly tries to find mistakes, pressurizes me even when the workload is not high, and engages in demoralizing politics. It seems like everyone has been victimized, but this time it's affecting me severely. I find it hard to cope. Initially, I considered quitting, but due to my studies and the current market situation, I realize that it may not be a feasible option.
Please guide me on how to handle such a personality. Should I quit? This individual's behavior is really affecting me. I have been putting in my best efforts, but he fails to acknowledge them, which is demoralizing. Please help, seniors!
Thanks,
Shweta
From India, Coimbatore
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15It's been a long time since I last posted anything - neither any query nor any HR material. Actually, I have been in a flux lately. I really need your advice as I am currently dealing with some serious trouble.
I am in HR, but after shifting to a new job, it's more of an admin job rather than HR, which was not communicated to me earlier. I was informed about something else but assigned something different. Despite this, I am continuing with it as I am pursuing my MBR-HR and thought it would be beneficial to stay with this company to gain experience until I finish my education and maintain stability. However, things are not going as planned.
Initially, my boss is very difficult to handle. He only knows how to shout and doesn't seem to have clear concepts. Moreover, if we take initiative and design something, he questions why we did it and states that we have no liberty to change things. On the other hand, if we don't take initiative, he says we need to be more proactive and come up with ideas. Once, we both agreed on our disagreements about the same issue. I even mentioned to him that sometimes I don't understand what he wants. However, since that argument, he has made my work environment a total mess. He constantly tries to find mistakes, pressurizes me even when the workload is not high, and engages in demoralizing politics. It seems like everyone has been victimized, but this time it's affecting me severely. I find it hard to cope. Initially, I considered quitting, but due to my studies and the current market situation, I realize that it may not be a feasible option.
Please guide me on how to handle such a personality. Should I quit? This individual's behavior is really affecting me. I have been putting in my best efforts, but he fails to acknowledge them, which is demoralizing. Please help, seniors!
Thanks,
Shweta
From India, Coimbatore
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Hi SWEETA,
I'm not sure how many SWEETA appear on this forum... :icon10:
Anyway, dealing with the boss is one critical issue, especially when your experience falls short in handling him as well as his authority. You must understand that conflict is not a good thing, especially with an egoistic person. When you are vying with your boss to prove your worth, and he is not ready to accept your presence as important to him... :icon6:
It's better to handle the situation tactfully and just listen to him because if there is no substance in what he is saying, chasing him is a waste of time. Let him feel satisfied, and you can take your salary for tolerating his nuisance. :-D
From Saudi Arabia
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I'm not sure how many SWEETA appear on this forum... :icon10:
Anyway, dealing with the boss is one critical issue, especially when your experience falls short in handling him as well as his authority. You must understand that conflict is not a good thing, especially with an egoistic person. When you are vying with your boss to prove your worth, and he is not ready to accept your presence as important to him... :icon6:
It's better to handle the situation tactfully and just listen to him because if there is no substance in what he is saying, chasing him is a waste of time. Let him feel satisfied, and you can take your salary for tolerating his nuisance. :-D
From Saudi Arabia
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Hi Shweta,
What I would suggest to you is to start looking for a job. How long are you going to tolerate his nuisance? Even if you decide to tolerate it, how long are you really going to do it for - 3 months, 6 months, or the next 1 year... how long? Someday is going to come when you are going to quit, so why not now? I acknowledge that there is a recession going on in the market, but keep searching. You never know, you might just get a job that you have always wanted to have.
So, don't lose heart, don't let the grass grow under your feet. Come on, gear up!
Vrockx :-P
From India, Pune
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What I would suggest to you is to start looking for a job. How long are you going to tolerate his nuisance? Even if you decide to tolerate it, how long are you really going to do it for - 3 months, 6 months, or the next 1 year... how long? Someday is going to come when you are going to quit, so why not now? I acknowledge that there is a recession going on in the market, but keep searching. You never know, you might just get a job that you have always wanted to have.
So, don't lose heart, don't let the grass grow under your feet. Come on, gear up!
Vrockx :-P
From India, Pune
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Hi,
Try to stay calm. By the way, it helps increase your patience, which will be very useful for your life. Focus on your studies, just study, and keep this as your backup plan until your education is completed. Once done, then look for a better and more standard company. Patience solves everything in life to some extent. Try this.
Regards, Nirmal
From India, Madras
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Try to stay calm. By the way, it helps increase your patience, which will be very useful for your life. Focus on your studies, just study, and keep this as your backup plan until your education is completed. Once done, then look for a better and more standard company. Patience solves everything in life to some extent. Try this.
Regards, Nirmal
From India, Madras
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Dear Shwetha,
I would suggest you to list down the activities you do and understand the areas in HR. Be patient for a month or so and then look for a change. You would have these apprehensions but you need to learn and try to manage them. In case you are looking for a change, message me so that I can help you get some opportunities.
Regards,
Vinoo
+91 98842 32700
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I would suggest you to list down the activities you do and understand the areas in HR. Be patient for a month or so and then look for a change. You would have these apprehensions but you need to learn and try to manage them. In case you are looking for a change, message me so that I can help you get some opportunities.
Regards,
Vinoo
+91 98842 32700
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Hello Shweta,
I think Vrocks is right. Start looking out for a job because staying in this organization would mean no growth, and your work will never be appreciated. Staying too calm and being too good is not going to work out... play smart.
If possible, escalate the matter to the higher authorities if you can't handle it. Finally, think of reasons why you don't need to stick around at the job, excluding the current market situation. The job given to you is not what you wanted, your immediate boss is making life difficult for you, which leads to a lot of stress and unhappiness as apparent from your blog above.
Nothing matters in life; at the end of it all, it's your well-being and happiness. Trust me, I have been in your place, and I quit in two months' time. Today, I am happy I took that decision. So relax and do not stand for any nonsense from your boss.
Take care.
Regards,
Preethi
From Singapore, Singapore
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I think Vrocks is right. Start looking out for a job because staying in this organization would mean no growth, and your work will never be appreciated. Staying too calm and being too good is not going to work out... play smart.
If possible, escalate the matter to the higher authorities if you can't handle it. Finally, think of reasons why you don't need to stick around at the job, excluding the current market situation. The job given to you is not what you wanted, your immediate boss is making life difficult for you, which leads to a lot of stress and unhappiness as apparent from your blog above.
Nothing matters in life; at the end of it all, it's your well-being and happiness. Trust me, I have been in your place, and I quit in two months' time. Today, I am happy I took that decision. So relax and do not stand for any nonsense from your boss.
Take care.
Regards,
Preethi
From Singapore, Singapore
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Dear Shweta,
Chill out. I know it's easier said than done. But, all the problems arise if you don't accept things. My suggestion: play it safe, go as per your boss wants, this will save you some time for looking out for new opportunities. Also, I think your approach of placing things in front of the boss is wrong. You should make him feel that it's his ideas and let him take credit for the new initiative if it is successful at all. Later on, slowly you can start claiming credit, and also as your experience increases, you don't look out for credit but results. Best of luck.
Regards,
Anand.
From India, Pune
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Chill out. I know it's easier said than done. But, all the problems arise if you don't accept things. My suggestion: play it safe, go as per your boss wants, this will save you some time for looking out for new opportunities. Also, I think your approach of placing things in front of the boss is wrong. You should make him feel that it's his ideas and let him take credit for the new initiative if it is successful at all. Later on, slowly you can start claiming credit, and also as your experience increases, you don't look out for credit but results. Best of luck.
Regards,
Anand.
From India, Pune
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Take this matter to the management.Changing jobs will not help.You never know how will the next boss be.So how many jobs will you change?
From India, Chandigarh
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From India, Chandigarh
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Dear Shweta,
My answer may look strange to you, but I can't stop myself from sharing my experience. I myself work in HR, and a similar situation was faced by me at the beginning of my career. On one occasion, it was even worse; it was kind of a humiliation.
But I fought it and eventually got promoted the following year. After that, I quit that company, and now I have a very good reputation with that boss.
In such situations, it may seem like we are right and our boss is scolding us without any fault of our own. However, if anybody tries to put themselves in the shoes of the boss and understand why they are behaving like that, it might be difficult to think in this way. But just give yourself a chance to think in that direction. You can even take note of why he is shouting and scolding. It may be a learning stage, and you can learn a lot from it. Always maintain a positive mindset and be ready to grasp the positive aspects from his scolding.
Regarding changing jobs, I believe you are the best judge to make that decision in this situation. As we won't be able to judge both sides of the coin just by listening to the situation from your side, one has to step into your shoes to understand your situation. What you are sharing is only one side of the coin.
Thank you.
From India, Delhi
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My answer may look strange to you, but I can't stop myself from sharing my experience. I myself work in HR, and a similar situation was faced by me at the beginning of my career. On one occasion, it was even worse; it was kind of a humiliation.
But I fought it and eventually got promoted the following year. After that, I quit that company, and now I have a very good reputation with that boss.
In such situations, it may seem like we are right and our boss is scolding us without any fault of our own. However, if anybody tries to put themselves in the shoes of the boss and understand why they are behaving like that, it might be difficult to think in this way. But just give yourself a chance to think in that direction. You can even take note of why he is shouting and scolding. It may be a learning stage, and you can learn a lot from it. Always maintain a positive mindset and be ready to grasp the positive aspects from his scolding.
Regarding changing jobs, I believe you are the best judge to make that decision in this situation. As we won't be able to judge both sides of the coin just by listening to the situation from your side, one has to step into your shoes to understand your situation. What you are sharing is only one side of the coin.
Thank you.
From India, Delhi
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Hi Swetha,
As Badlooser said, the boss is always the boss. Right now, you are the person getting trained in psychology. A major aspect of HR is to study psychology. HR is not only Human Resources; we say it as High Risk. If you want to be in HR, then take on the assignment to tackle him; don't argue with the boss. Even if he is playing politics, you have to play along. All HR professionals should be diplomatic.
You have the talent to recognize when he is playing politics, and that's when you know how to solve that. If you are on a certain path, it will lead to a specific destination. When the path is chosen, the destination is also chosen.
Try to play politics tactfully, make him satisfied with your intelligence. If you have the capacity to identify the problem, then you can solve it. Many people don't know how to identify the problem, yet they still succeed. So why can't you?
Please let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.
From India, Bangalore
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As Badlooser said, the boss is always the boss. Right now, you are the person getting trained in psychology. A major aspect of HR is to study psychology. HR is not only Human Resources; we say it as High Risk. If you want to be in HR, then take on the assignment to tackle him; don't argue with the boss. Even if he is playing politics, you have to play along. All HR professionals should be diplomatic.
You have the talent to recognize when he is playing politics, and that's when you know how to solve that. If you are on a certain path, it will lead to a specific destination. When the path is chosen, the destination is also chosen.
Try to play politics tactfully, make him satisfied with your intelligence. If you have the capacity to identify the problem, then you can solve it. Many people don't know how to identify the problem, yet they still succeed. So why can't you?
Please let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Shwetha,
Make a checklist of activities you are doing on a regular basis for a month. Financial stability is one thing to be concerned about before quitting a job. Quitting is the easy way out, but finding a new job can be a tough scenario. So, please have patience for a month.
There comes a point in life referred to as "Now or Never." Analyze the situation yourself regarding the current state. If it falls under high priority, make a bold decision about it.
Thanks and regards,
Nandha
Email: nandha2k@yahoo.co.in
From India, Madras
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Make a checklist of activities you are doing on a regular basis for a month. Financial stability is one thing to be concerned about before quitting a job. Quitting is the easy way out, but finding a new job can be a tough scenario. So, please have patience for a month.
There comes a point in life referred to as "Now or Never." Analyze the situation yourself regarding the current state. If it falls under high priority, make a bold decision about it.
Thanks and regards,
Nandha
Email: nandha2k@yahoo.co.in
From India, Madras
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Hey Shwetha,
I think you should stick to this job. Try to listen and do things the way he wants you to do them. There is no use shouting at him; it will only worsen your situation. Moreover, this will be a learning experience for you and might help you in your next job as well. Problems exist in every company. Issues with managers are a never-ending problem.
My personal opinion - Barking dogs seldom bite. Let this dog keep on barking. You just do your work. Focus on your studies, finish them, and then if required, search for another job.
Regards,
Suma
From India, Bangalore
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I think you should stick to this job. Try to listen and do things the way he wants you to do them. There is no use shouting at him; it will only worsen your situation. Moreover, this will be a learning experience for you and might help you in your next job as well. Problems exist in every company. Issues with managers are a never-ending problem.
My personal opinion - Barking dogs seldom bite. Let this dog keep on barking. You just do your work. Focus on your studies, finish them, and then if required, search for another job.
Regards,
Suma
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Shweta,
Every HR professional might have come across the bitter experience that you are facing now in their respective service, either at the entry level or middle/senior level. When compared with other professions, the HR profession requires more patience. As HR personnel, we have to deal with humans whose concepts, thoughts, likes, dislikes, and mentality may tend to change from person to person and from time to time.
Like your bosses, there are many others in this big world. Generally, these types of people may not have mental peace at their residence due to the difficulties of their personal lives. To counter their anger at home, these bosses may satisfy their ego by shouting at the employees in the office, portraying themselves as more powerful. To handle such individuals, we must have patience. When they are shouting at you, try to think positively and do not provoke them with counters. Instead, help them realize their mistakes by remaining calm and professional.
Furthermore, if a boss feels that an employee is more competent and dynamic than them, it can lead to feelings of insecurity. In such cases, the boss may try to discourage colleagues or subordinates from contributing valuable ideas for the organization's benefit, fearing a threat to their position.
Regardless, we are not here to quarrel with others. While you have obligations to fulfill, consider seeking a better job elsewhere that aligns with your qualifications and experience. It is advisable not to resign from your current job until you secure a new position.
Wishing you the best of luck.
NVRao
Hyderabad
From India, Hyderabad
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Every HR professional might have come across the bitter experience that you are facing now in their respective service, either at the entry level or middle/senior level. When compared with other professions, the HR profession requires more patience. As HR personnel, we have to deal with humans whose concepts, thoughts, likes, dislikes, and mentality may tend to change from person to person and from time to time.
Like your bosses, there are many others in this big world. Generally, these types of people may not have mental peace at their residence due to the difficulties of their personal lives. To counter their anger at home, these bosses may satisfy their ego by shouting at the employees in the office, portraying themselves as more powerful. To handle such individuals, we must have patience. When they are shouting at you, try to think positively and do not provoke them with counters. Instead, help them realize their mistakes by remaining calm and professional.
Furthermore, if a boss feels that an employee is more competent and dynamic than them, it can lead to feelings of insecurity. In such cases, the boss may try to discourage colleagues or subordinates from contributing valuable ideas for the organization's benefit, fearing a threat to their position.
Regardless, we are not here to quarrel with others. While you have obligations to fulfill, consider seeking a better job elsewhere that aligns with your qualifications and experience. It is advisable not to resign from your current job until you secure a new position.
Wishing you the best of luck.
NVRao
Hyderabad
From India, Hyderabad
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Common people, for heaven's sake, stop taking this crap from people who don't respect you as a human being.
I do not agree with those members here who suggest taking crap from your bosses and trying to keep them happy. Sorry, but you need to "RESPECT YOURSELF".
Sweta, my only advice (if whatever you've mentioned is correct): Look out for a job. Once you get it, kick your current boss's ass. They deserve it.
All the best.
From United Kingdom, London
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I do not agree with those members here who suggest taking crap from your bosses and trying to keep them happy. Sorry, but you need to "RESPECT YOURSELF".
Sweta, my only advice (if whatever you've mentioned is correct): Look out for a job. Once you get it, kick your current boss's ass. They deserve it.
All the best.
From United Kingdom, London
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Hi Shweta,
I think you should treat him very tactfully with peace and a smile and try to make him satisfied.
Whatever he says, you just avoid and try to learn these things.
I had also faced this condition and learned that the BOSS is always right. Take all his activities positively.
Believe me, when you learn these things, you will be a winner.
And I think there is no need to change a job until you have a good job in your hand. You know the market conditions very well.
There is no certainty that you will get a good boss if you change jobs. He may be even more rude than him.
So always listen to him, try to understand what he expects from you, why he is not satisfied with you. Improve yourself. Always smile and try to understand things. Be positive, make him happy, never be upset. One important thing: always keep in mind that bosses are always right.
And do not worry about your job profile like admin work; it's also part of HR. Nowadays, the HR field is very vast. If you want to make a career in HR, you need knowledge of your company, vision, mission, and you have to coordinate with the Finance Dept, Purchase Dept, Admin Dept. So, do not worry, my dear. Always smile and be happy. I hope you will accept my views. No need to fight with your boss.
If the problem still persists, let me know.
Take care.
From India, Pune
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I think you should treat him very tactfully with peace and a smile and try to make him satisfied.
Whatever he says, you just avoid and try to learn these things.
I had also faced this condition and learned that the BOSS is always right. Take all his activities positively.
Believe me, when you learn these things, you will be a winner.
And I think there is no need to change a job until you have a good job in your hand. You know the market conditions very well.
There is no certainty that you will get a good boss if you change jobs. He may be even more rude than him.
So always listen to him, try to understand what he expects from you, why he is not satisfied with you. Improve yourself. Always smile and try to understand things. Be positive, make him happy, never be upset. One important thing: always keep in mind that bosses are always right.
And do not worry about your job profile like admin work; it's also part of HR. Nowadays, the HR field is very vast. If you want to make a career in HR, you need knowledge of your company, vision, mission, and you have to coordinate with the Finance Dept, Purchase Dept, Admin Dept. So, do not worry, my dear. Always smile and be happy. I hope you will accept my views. No need to fight with your boss.
If the problem still persists, let me know.
Take care.
From India, Pune
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Hey,
Neither a job change would help nor taking the matter to top management. You will get the same type of boss everywhere; this is my experience. As an HR professional, our job is to manage people on a large scale with different personalities and expectations.
Try to understand him as a subject with a weird persona. Try to guess what his next action will be and press on whenever you see an opportunity. It will be a good experience once you know how to take advantage of it.
From India, Mandi
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Neither a job change would help nor taking the matter to top management. You will get the same type of boss everywhere; this is my experience. As an HR professional, our job is to manage people on a large scale with different personalities and expectations.
Try to understand him as a subject with a weird persona. Try to guess what his next action will be and press on whenever you see an opportunity. It will be a good experience once you know how to take advantage of it.
From India, Mandi
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Hi Shweta!
I understand it must be very frustrating for you. In my opinion, quitting is not the right thing. I mean, if you are doing an MBA and wanting to go into HR, this will help you in one thing for sure, and that is patience.
Also, I suggest that you understand his behavior and act accordingly. Such people act in erratic ways because maybe at times he may have developed an inferiority complex due to your behavior, skills. Try to boost up his ego by asking for his permission for petty things (when he asks you to take initiative); the rest of the time, just stick to your work.
But if this gets too personal, I would advise you to take this matter to higher authorities.
All the best for the future!
From India, Nagpur
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I understand it must be very frustrating for you. In my opinion, quitting is not the right thing. I mean, if you are doing an MBA and wanting to go into HR, this will help you in one thing for sure, and that is patience.
Also, I suggest that you understand his behavior and act accordingly. Such people act in erratic ways because maybe at times he may have developed an inferiority complex due to your behavior, skills. Try to boost up his ego by asking for his permission for petty things (when he asks you to take initiative); the rest of the time, just stick to your work.
But if this gets too personal, I would advise you to take this matter to higher authorities.
All the best for the future!
From India, Nagpur
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Dear Shweta,
I too had a boss like yours and continued with him for 7 years; it was not easy. It's nice to know that you are pursuing your higher studies; keep going. I suggest that you spend more valuable time on your studies and aim to complete them within the stipulated time.
Try to handle him with a high level of patience because that's one thing that can really help you through all your hard times with him. Please do not argue with your boss; this will harm you and make you feel even worse.
In the meantime, if something good comes up, then you can consider changing your job, but do not quit just because of your boss; he certainly is not the person who can decide your fate. So have patience, have faith, things will turn around.
Good Luck.
Pramod Sulakhe
Goa.
From India, Pune
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I too had a boss like yours and continued with him for 7 years; it was not easy. It's nice to know that you are pursuing your higher studies; keep going. I suggest that you spend more valuable time on your studies and aim to complete them within the stipulated time.
Try to handle him with a high level of patience because that's one thing that can really help you through all your hard times with him. Please do not argue with your boss; this will harm you and make you feel even worse.
In the meantime, if something good comes up, then you can consider changing your job, but do not quit just because of your boss; he certainly is not the person who can decide your fate. So have patience, have faith, things will turn around.
Good Luck.
Pramod Sulakhe
Goa.
From India, Pune
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DEAR SHWETAONE THING YOU SHOULD KEEP IN YOUR MIND THAT BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT AND IF YOU FORGET THIS, RE-READ THE 1ST SENTENCE. BESDIES BEGGARS CANNOT BE CHOOSERS. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.. YOU NEED TO MANAGE / HANDLE YOUR BOSS. 1ST YOU SHOULD HOW HE WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT , IN WHAT FASHION AND SO ON SO FORTH. I AM FORWARDING ONE OF THE ARTICLES ON MANAGING BOSS. PL GO THROUGH AND I AM SURE THINGS WILL MOVE IN RIGHT DIRECTION. MANAGING BOSSThe relationship with your boss is probably the most important relationship you have at work. Boss management can stimulate better performance, improve your working life, job satisfaction, and workload. Give your boss a hand and reap the rewards. When we think of managing someone, we usually think of managing our team members or subordinates. Subordinates are not solely dependent on their bosses, but that today's complexity requires interdependence: the boss needs her team as well. The whole process forced me to crystallize my observations and previous experience and test them with the 250 managers. I have grouped the results into ten rules that try to answer some common questions asked by managers with respect to managing their bosses, with the aim of helping the relationship become more effective, foster faster decisions, better decisions and more trust. 1. Decisions: If you do not want a 'no' or procrastination, give him/her a hand Your boss has other subordinates, other decisions to make. Thus, her (for simplicity, we use 'her' from now on in this article) best bet, if she is pressed for a decision, will be to say no. No, it is too risky; no, we do not have enough evidence; no, it is the wrong timing; no, it is off strategy, et cetera. · To avoid the 'no' that will ruin your and your team's enthusiasm, give her a hand. Remind her of where you left it last time you met; · Remind her of the objective rather than rushing to the 'what' and 'how'; · Remind her of past problems encountered because a decision was not made; · Quickly summarize the options considered, your criteria for selecting one option -- the one you are presenting; · Tell her what you expect from her: simply to inform, to decide jointly, to share the risk, to add one criterion, to re-examine the option; · Focus on the points where you need her help; · Be prepared with facts/data for potential disagreements. Help her out with graphics and visuals so that the situation is grasped faster; · After your meeting, summarize for her the decision in writing to make sure of the understanding; · And finally, once a decision has been made, your way, her way or no way, do not criticize it externally. You have become the best defender; the best ambassador of what was decided. 2. Manage her time: You may represent only 1% of her problems, don't make it as if it is 100%. Yes, you have preoccupations, problems to solve and issues to tackle. However, while your time is entirely devoted to them, do not expect your boss's time to be also.· The more simple the problem or issue at hand is, the less time you should have her spend on it: prepare, summarize, and synthesize information and options. Do not confuse your more frequent problems with the most important ones. · Book her for several meetings in advance. Nothing is more frustrating than to have to wait days, weeks or months for that extra new meeting needed in order to finalize a decision or a project. 3. An opinion: If you ask for her opinion, she will always have one. Rare are the bosses who, when asked for their advice or their decision, will use the psychological ping-pong approach of retuning the question to the person who asked. And their opinion may not always be that of a genius or a visionary. However, once given, the opinion becomes a constraint: was it an order? So, if you don't want your boss's opinion to thwart your achievements, to slow the speed of decision-making, or cloud the viewpoint, then don't ask for it. Best of all, don't ask if you don't need her opinion.· Choose the right moment to avoid procrastination: not only save her time by focusing on big issues, but choose the right moment to do so. If you present an issue at the wrong moment, the chances are she will procrastinate. · Prepare for your meeting: first because the advantage is to the one who is prepared, second because the preparation helps you reduce the time taken to come to the central issue. · Show the forest before the trees in a discussion: if you want to avoid spending a lot of time on going back to basics before she is at full speed with you, start with the basics yourself. Remind her of the objective, where you stand today, and what you want her opinion on.4. Information: It is not data. Turn grapes into wine: you are supposed to analyze the results of a market survey, and not be the mailman who passes the thick document full of statistics to your boss. So be selective; be visual; group the data; bring out what is essential. Data overload creates stress, which in turn can create denial, rejection, and numbness. As a manager, you are paid to collect the grapes (data), and turn them into wine, i.e. useful information. · Don't give her only the bad news: give her also the good news. If you keep bringing only bad news, little by little you become the bad news yourself. Don't minimize good news, because you want to focus on the problems. By doing that you contribute to creating a bad atmosphere. · Make sure she does not get the information from others too often: sometimes by being shy about what we should give or because we think it is not relevant, we don't feed our boss with key elements. However, other people could do it before you. And then the hassle starts. "I heard that…", "Why didn't you tell me that…" · And then you need to justify yourself; you may need to modify incorrect information. The trade off is between too little information leading to starvation, frustration, and/or restlessness vs too much information leading to overload. · Round off: what helps more to give sense to an amount or a size: 886,262.11 or 890K? What makes the decision-making process faster: 79.27% vs 21.73% or simply 80% vs 20%. Look back at all the tables you sent to your boss in the last twelve months. · Participate in and contribute to her informal network: every manager, hopefully, does not rely solely for managing on formal information given in internal documents and reports. Some people use internal informal networks. Some others also have an informal outside network of experts, friends, business connections that help them shape their vision of the world and how to act. You have yours; your boss has too. Why not volunteer part of yours, so that you do not always have to react and be defensive about information fed by people you do not necessarily think are the best sources? 5. Problems: Don't just come with problems, come also with solutions. Good bosses hate two kinds of behavior. The courtesan who always comes to tell you how great you are and the pyromaniac/fireman who comes to tell you "There is a huge problem" and then says "but don't worry, I will solve it!" There is also a third kind, the monkey transferor. She has a problem and she puts it on your shoulders, rather than bringing a solution or at least some options. Problems usually have several aspects. It is usually a gap between an objective and the result; there are options to close the gap; there is a choice of one option to be made; key tasks, dates, people and resources needed must be defined. On which of those steps in problem solving do you want your boss's input? Just be clear on what input you want rather than come with the stressful -- "I have a problem…" and throw the monkey. 6. Assumptions: Do not assume she knows as much as you do, but assume she can understand; so educate her. Please help, you are the expert. You spend all of your time and that of your team on the issue. You live with data, pressure points and levers; your boss does not. She does not know more than you do. Most senior executives are even dangerous when they get involved in making micro-decisions, as their point of reference is often not the current one but rather the situation they knew when they were junior managers. If you need her perspective, it is because it is broader; she has a better sense for inter-relationships with other parts of the organisation. You have two options. · You inundate her with technical stuff she does not understand, hoping that the amount of technical jargon will knock her down and force her to agree with you. It may work, but it may become a barrier in communication leading to lack of trust. · You educate him by simplifying, using easy to understand language, feeding him with articles, examples, best practices, summaries that help him see a perspective. By creating understanding, you relieve tensions; create trust that can lead to better decision-making. 7. Delegations: Constantly test the waters. It is not always easy to define ex ante what is delegated to a person. Some companies prefer to use the principle of subsidiary rather than the principle of delegation: the principle of subsidiary stipulates that you can do everything except the following list, whereas in the principle of delegation you stipulate, "you cannot do anything except…" Whichever is used, there will always be some doubt whether you have or do not have the delegation. You have two options: either you play it safe by always asking your boss's opinion. This can lead to paralysis, bottlenecks and your own demise, as your boss will think you are unable to take responsibility. Or you assume too much, take decisions and learn after the fact that it was not yours to decide. In between, there is the 'test the waters' strategy especially for things or areas, domains or steps that are unprecedented. 8. Promises: Do not promise what you cannot deliver, and avoid surprises, trust is at stake. Trust does not develop overnight and depends a lot on the predictability of the other person: what she says and does, how often she is living up to or not living up to her statements. In the same way, you will not fully trust your boss if she changes her mind too often or says things contrary to what you were told the last time. You also want to avoid being seen as unreliable by not delivering on what you promise or surprising her with bad news without forewarning. Do not promise dates for finishing projects you cannot handle. If you see that too much is asked of you, sit down and re-discuss priorities before proceeding, rather than becoming yourself a bottleneck. Involve your boss in the process, so it becomes a common priority. Avoid bad surprises. If your job is to be in charge of a particular area, then it is also to be in charge of bad results and improving them. Involve your boss in discussing and evaluating the risks, agreeing on key lead indicators that you will both share, so that neither you nor he will be surprised. For instance, whereas sales are not a good lead indicator, future orders or bookings can be. Cash in the bank is not, whereas good cash flow three months in advance is. 9. Differences: Manage differences in culture. Sometimes at IMD we use a questionnaire called the Power Map to help participants identify their own culture (i.e. values they cherish, leading to certain behaviors), to identify other executives' profiles and discuss consequences on communication and leadership in a team. To simplify, the four main types of profiles that our survey identified are: · People who like to 'control things' and introduce processes, develop more the 'now'; · People who are more concerned with people, develop more the impact on people; · People who are more concerned with getting things done, start with key actions; · People who are more concerned with ideas, frame proposals in concepts. Of course, in managing your boss you should know her personal inclination, as well as your personal bias. If you are process oriented, you will tend to present issues in a systematic and orderly fashion, with pros and cons, chronology of tasks, etc. If your boss is the action type, she could be bored. So in that case an executive summary, emphasizing the key actions and results would be a handy starting point. 10. Trust: Don't be sloppy in your documentation. It undermines trust. By making the assumption that she will check what we write or say anyway, and that she will make changes, we sometimes tend to be sloppy in our writing. Tables are not finished, text is not re-read, places we are going to are not visited beforehand, spelling is not checked, and information is missing... By not finalizing your facts, arguments, memos, spelling, supporting documents, etc., you can be sure some things will get changed, mistakes corrected. And soon you will be asked to show more facts and figures, and you will see more changes, more amendments. Soon all the delegation you had will be gone. Conclusion Better work between a boss and his subordinate is not just a matter of leadership. It also has to do with boss 'management', which can stimulate better performance, faster decision making and accomplishment of more … by both parties.
From India, Gondia
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From India, Gondia
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Hi, Do not make decision in hurry.Keep looking for opportunities and more important is get relieved in a cordial manner with the present org. Regards Anitha
From India, Madras
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From India, Madras
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Dear Sweta,
What I have learned in my life is “By tolerating a nuisance you are evoking another silent nuisance and doing nuisance with you as well”. The hours we are spending in office are our most lively hours rather then the hours we are spending at home. Peace in working environment is very important. Further more it seems like Sachin Tendulkar is playing a football rather then Cricket. You are not only in a wrong job, but with wrong people too.
At last I am fully agree with Vrockx who sent you a suggestion Yesterday, 01:40 PM
Take decision at your own…. You are the victim……
Wish you all the best …..
Farhat Parveen
Falah Recruitment Consultants
New Delhi – India
From India, Calcutta
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What I have learned in my life is “By tolerating a nuisance you are evoking another silent nuisance and doing nuisance with you as well”. The hours we are spending in office are our most lively hours rather then the hours we are spending at home. Peace in working environment is very important. Further more it seems like Sachin Tendulkar is playing a football rather then Cricket. You are not only in a wrong job, but with wrong people too.
At last I am fully agree with Vrockx who sent you a suggestion Yesterday, 01:40 PM
Take decision at your own…. You are the victim……
Wish you all the best …..
Farhat Parveen
Falah Recruitment Consultants
New Delhi – India
From India, Calcutta
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Hi Shweta, Pl go through the e books attached. I hope it may be of some use and help you to deal your boss who seems to start his day with a break fast of a dead crow. All the best Dr. V.K.Pandey
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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I have faced this situation in my life; my boss was not only an irritating and shouting fellow but also sexually harassing me. When I refused to bear it from him, he secretly started looking for my replacement. I got to know, and I left the company. No doubt, your boss might also do that, so just keep looking for opportunities and change the job. Try to change your strategy to cope with your boss, and if you still are not able to manage him, then change the job.
Best of luck :)
From India, Delhi
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Best of luck :)
From India, Delhi
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Dear Shewata,
Start your approach differently from today itself. Learn to love as much as you face criticism. Give genuine appreciation for even small or seemingly insignificant deeds of your boss. He should feel that you have changed entirely. Always support his views and ideas and admire wholeheartedly. The more you love your boss, you will see a change in him, and he will reciprocate. Even if you did not make any mistakes, if he wishes, accept with generosity.
Please give your comments after some time to my email id
. I have tried this approach with my boss and succeeded.
Regards,
Krishna
Mumbai
9969739070
From India, Mumbai
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Start your approach differently from today itself. Learn to love as much as you face criticism. Give genuine appreciation for even small or seemingly insignificant deeds of your boss. He should feel that you have changed entirely. Always support his views and ideas and admire wholeheartedly. The more you love your boss, you will see a change in him, and he will reciprocate. Even if you did not make any mistakes, if he wishes, accept with generosity.
Please give your comments after some time to my email id
Regards,
Krishna
Mumbai
9969739070
From India, Mumbai
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Hi Shweta,
We can tell you many things about staying calm, but I acknowledge that every day and hour you spend in your office, you might be feeling like standing on a hot pan, and that too barefooted. So, I feel that first, look for a job and then only leave your current one... until then keep searching, but don't lose hope.
Vrockx... :-P
From India, Pune
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We can tell you many things about staying calm, but I acknowledge that every day and hour you spend in your office, you might be feeling like standing on a hot pan, and that too barefooted. So, I feel that first, look for a job and then only leave your current one... until then keep searching, but don't lose hope.
Vrockx... :-P
From India, Pune
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Thank you to everyone for your support. I am currently struggling with depression. I have already started circulating my CV, but if you have any opportunities for me, please let me know. I am based in Delhi.
Thank you,
Shweta
From India, Coimbatore
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Thank you,
Shweta
From India, Coimbatore
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Passbook download.pdf