How to survive a difficult boss

There’s nothing more disheartening than going to work every day dreading the thought of facing an antagonistic boss. For those of us struggling with the idea of leaving a job to get away from a negative situation, Les McKeown has five steps to survive even the most difficult scenario.

First, decide if it’s bad enough to leave. If the unhappiness is all-consuming, and you can afford to find a new job, it’s time to leave. On the other hand, if you decide to stay, follow step two and stay positive. If you come into work frustrated and assuming your boss issues will dominate your day, the likelihood is that things will get you down. Make a commitment to think positively, don’t dwell on the things about him/her that infuriate you, and don’t take part in any negativity from your colleagues.

Next, find a way to build trust. It may not come easy, and you may have to let your boss take credit for what you do, or listen to their self-centred stories, but if it’s not evil or demeaning, use it to your advantage. Then you can take the fourth step to build autonomy on the trust you’ve earned. Ask your boss for work on projects they would normally do so they can keep other commitments. Look for opportunities to work independently to minimise interaction with them.

Finally, establish barriers that won’t damage the tenuous relationship you’ve now built with your boss. Stay under the radar. If you notice that offering to take on too many projects causes them to get angry or revert to their annoying behaviour, take a step back and recognise where you’re happy. Once you’ve found yourself a positive standing, work to maintain it. Suddenly the job won’t seem that bad after all.

Les McKeown is CEO of Predictable Success, an adviser in business growth. For more information, visit the website at predictablesuccess.com.