Everyone deserves to work with a friendly, outgoing, and easy to work with boss, but not everyone does. Do you have an intimidating or even downright scary boss? You’re not alone. Bosses come in all personality types, and you don’t always get to choose. You must develop a few strategies if you find yourself in this situation. Consider these tips for communicating with your boss effectively.
Consider Their Schedule
When you have a boss who is difficult to approach, it may seem like avoidance is your best option. But that can cause problems to fester and create a much more challenging work environment. Instead, pay attention to their schedule to determine when they’re not super busy, and your interruption may cause less drama than when they’re already overwhelmed.
Come Prepared
Before you ever speak with your boss, do your due diligence. Always be prepared to discuss what you need so you have evidence, supporting information, solutions you’ve already tried, and questions that will help keep the conversation on track. That way, you can keep the conversation on track as much as possible.
Ask for Backup
There is strength in numbers. If you feel intimidated by your boss, ask a trusted coworker to join you during a discussion. Or if there are grievances among the staff, always approach management as a united front. Often bad bosses are simply bullies, but they won’t fall back on those behaviors if a group approaches them.
Be Solutions Oriented
The most important thing you can do when you work for a difficult boss is remain focused on solutions. While your complaints may be valid, you only provide your boss with additional ammunition to raise their temper. Stay proactive, find solutions when you can, and always focus on action items when talking with your boss.
Maybe you’re ready for a new job? Our team at The Vision Companies is ready to help!
