Joyce Weiss

I work with organizations and individuals who want to kick conflict and chaos to the curb - Queen of Conflict Resolution and Communication Coach

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An Important Video on Working with a Bad Boss

working with a bad bossDo you have experience working with a BAD Boss?
Do you want to quit your job because your boss yells or ignores you?
If so, the information covered in the video and article below will show you that you are NOT alone!

Watch the video to show you what others experience with a Bad Boss. Then read the article that follows for specific stories.

The Video Content on Working with a Bad Boss

I interviewed several leaders for my newest program called Managing Upward.  I asked them the following questions:
1.  How have you used an experience with a bad boss so you don’t become like him or her?
2.  What would you do if you were the president or CEO of the company?
3.  What tough conversations do you need to have with your manager?

Every person who I interviewed had a horror story to share.  They described bosses who ignored certain people, yelled at employees who didn’t agree with him or her, and didn’t make an effort to get to know the team.

Question #1  on Working with a Bad Boss:  How have you used an experience with a bad boss so you don’t become like him or her?

The following is an answer from one of my interviewees.  “My former boss never appreciated our hard work.  As a result of this experience, I bring in food and serve hot dogs every Friday for lunch.  Each employee decides what kind of food to bring in when it’s his or her birthday.  My team is very appreciative of this special attention.  They even bring in donuts on their own to thank the team for covering for them when they have an appointment with a doctor.”

Question #2 on Working with a Bad Boss:  What would you do if you were the President of your company?

Here’s what one interviewee shared with me.  “I would create opportunities for next level management training.  I would help employees prepare to get to the next level.  My former boss didn’t believe in continuous growth and development.  I learned some valuable lessons while working with a bad boss.  This is very important to me and my employees tell me that they stay at our company because they know how much management believes in them.”

Question #3 on Working with a Bad Boss:  What tough conversations do you need to have with your boss?

Here is an answer from my interviews:  “My CEO is not very good.  The only time when I hear from him is when we have a problem.  I am feeling stronger with my communication and want to share my concerns with him.  I ask myself what is the worst thing that can happen to me? I will have the tough talk the next time we receive positive feedback from our customer.  I will start by sharing the information with him.  I will then discuss how I learned about the importance of positive reinforcement after attending your workshop :).  Hopefully, he will listen.  I am ready to have this important conversation since the morale is sinking quickly.”

Joyce’s Thoughts On Working With a Bad Boss

We all have options.  We can go to a trusted leader to discuss our workplace conflicts about working with the bad boss.  Many of my clients have successfully been transferred to another department in order to keep them from leaving the company. Some of my clients decided to leave because their stress level was too high. They needed to get out of dodge before they really became sick.  I usually don’t encourage clients to leave the company because their next boss may be even worse!  Do your best to have tough conversations with them.  It is a risk.  Ask yourself what the worst thing that could happen to you.  Plan the conversation.  Research previous articles on Communicate with Impact about Be Direct with Respect®.

Check out my article on Strategic Communication to Get Noticed More in the Workplace to give you strategies to practice and use even when working with a Bad Boss.

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to Respond to send me your questions about working with a Bad Boss.  Please share your experiences on how you resolved these issues.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

You can start tackling tough conversations with a bad boss, bullies, different generations, and even narcissists once you learn the powerful strategies. I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on-line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

CLICK HERE to learn how Joyce can help your company eliminate destructive conflict in the workplace

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Conflict in the Workplace Knowledge Page https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/conflict-resolution-in-the-workplace/

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Professional Development Strategies to Manage Upward

Do you want to learn professional development strategies to help you work with your boss?
Have you ever worked with a bad boss?
Are you experiencing stress with leaders who you are working with now?
If so, you are in the right place!

Professional Development Strategy #1:  What to do if you have a bad boss

Most of my clients have had experience with both great and poor bosses.  The 3 examples below describe some of their experiences.  See if any of them sound familiar.  I will share more examples in future articles.

1.  The hands-off boss who doesn’t share details with you.
2.  The boss who is like a bull in a china shop and explodes during conversations with the team.
3.  The boss who closes down conversations when someone doesn’t agree with him or her.

Professional Development Strategy #2:  Know how to communicate with a hands-off boss

It’s important to let your boss know what you need from him or her.  One way to be taken seriously in the workplace is to ask for what you need.  Of course,  there is a risk to let others know.  If you don’t do this, you’ll find yourself frustrated and complain to colleagues without getting any results.  Let your boss know that you need more details to finish a project.  Ask who else you need to speak with in order to resolve issues.  This may seem obvious to some of you.  Many people have been treated so poorly at work that they fear even the smallest conversation with their boss.  

Professional Development Strategy #3:  How to work with an explosive boss

Some of my clients have left companies because the pressure of working with a horrible boss caused them physical and mental stress.  I’m not suggesting that you suffer in silence.  I’m asking you to look at all options.  Go to other leaders in the company who you trust and ask them what you can do.  CAREFULLY plan the conversation with your boss when the time seems safe.  You can always start the conversation with, “I was caught off guard at the meeting when I was scolded how I treated a customer.  I want to hear how to improve my communication and would appreciate any future constructive feedback told to me in private.”  I know some of you are saying that you would never say this to your boss.  So, don’t.  Then think of another way to speak to him or her.  Suffering in silence is not an option. 

Professional Development Strategy #4:  How to speak to a boss who shuts down the conversation

This is very common and again there are options besides not doing anything.  You can say, “I am frustrated when the team makes suggestions about improving the systems and our suggestions are ignored because our customers are demanding these changes.  We all want to make improvements and hope to make productive changes so we can help resolve our production challenges.”  Again, there is a risk with this kind of communication especially if you have a BAD boss.  Figure out what you and your team need to do in order to be heard.   

Professional Development Strategy #5:  Thoughts from Joyce

Remember, “You get what you tolerate!”  We all need to look at how to communicate differently when we aren’t getting the desired results.  Always seek out support from trusted leaders within your company.  You’ll feel better about yourself and get the respect that you deserve when you take the initiative to have these tough conversations. The good news is that my clients who move into leadership roles do what they can NOT to behave like their poor bosses.  They learned what not to do with their team! 🙂  

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about your experience with bad bosses. Do you have any tips on how to initiate a conversation with a poor boss?

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

You can start tackling tough conversations with leaders, bullies, different generations, and even narcissists once you learn the powerful strategies. I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

PS CLICK HERE to learn a powerful tool to plan your next tough conversation.    

CLICK HERE to learn more about Joyce’s career coaching system and put your career on track to your next promotion

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Career Skills Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/career-skills/

 

 

 

Contact Joyce

Email: joyce@joyceweiss.com
Phone: 248-681-5831