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