 |
|
|
|
Q: My boss is a real jerk. No matter what I try to do to please her, it still seems I can’t do anything right and I feel like I’m under a microscope.
A: Remember that control issues or perfectionism in your boss does not necessarily mean you are not good enough. It’s important to not personalize her issues even if she is standing by your shoulder. The way she is acting probably has far more to do with her own insecurities about not being good enough than your actual skills and abilities.
Ask her what you can do to make her feel more confident in your abilities. Maybe you could meet for a few minutes a day and brief her on your progress and provide samples of your work. You could ask her to provide you a list of her biggest concerns or fears regarding work quality. Then, you could specifically reassure her on these points during your briefings.
Step back and look at the situation without personalizing the boss’ behaviors.
Evaluate and move toward your boss’ concerns by trying to understand and provide alternative suggestions for reassuring and trust building.
For example: “I know it can’t be comfortable for you to stand behind my chair and strain to see the computer screen. Can I bring you this document when I finish, for your review?”
Q: When it comes to having to ask for something for his employees or taking up for us to other departments, my boss is a big wimp. He is so worried about what the higher ups will think of him, he won’t even try! I have lost respect for him.
A: Not being able to take a stand, wanting to avoid conflict or wanting to be liked by everyone are just a few possible reasons for weak leadership. Sometimes a manager lacks the required job skills to manage properly, or maybe he is just burned out. People can and do work for managers they don’t respect. You just need to evaluate the situation and decide if you are one of those people.
If you have an idea about why your boss seems weak, again, step back and decide how you can best work with him or around him. For example, if your boss needs to be liked, avoid topics that are emotionally charged or suggest contentious situations and handle those on your own, if possible, or define your own work perimeters and stick to that. In other words, just do your job. This may mean you lower your expectations regarding change and future improvements.
If this is not possible, you can go to your boss’ boss with your concerns. You run the risk that senior management will prefer to look the other way; in other words, the organization may have a high tolerance for weak leadership. And don’t forget, you can always look for another job.
By Rebecca R. Mild-Williams
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
INTEGRIS Corporate Assistance Program
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
INTEGRIS Corporate Assistance Program
4900 N. Portland, Suite 111
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405.947.2688Toll Free
800.677.2729 |
|
|
 |
|
|