How to Deal with a Bad Boss: 3 Difficult Bosses and What to Do About Them

How do you deal with a bad boss when they're volatile, anxious, controlling, micromanaging or constantly undermining you?

In this episode of How to Have a Bloody Good Conversation, Sarah Wright and Dr Victoria Stakelam tackle the difficult workplace conversations many of us would rather avoid: what to do when your boss's behaviour is affecting your confidence, your team and your ability to do your job.

They answer specific listener questions by exploring three common difficult-boss scenarios: the emotionally volatile boss who leaves everyone walking on eggshells; the fearful or anxious boss who becomes controlling and starts micromanaging; and the boss who subtly undermines you in meetings or questions your decisions.

If you're wondering about the signs of a toxic boss, how to handle a micromanaging boss, or how to manage up when your boss is difficult, this episode offers practical ways to approach the situation.

You'll hear how to:

• Stop taking your boss's behaviour personally
• Separate their emotional issues from your own
• Have a difficult conversation with your boss
• Give feedback without making assumptions about their intentions
• Stick to facts rather than interpretations
• Manage up and reduce micromanagement
• Create systems that give an anxious boss reassurance without constant interruptions
• Use 360-degree feedback to give a leader a clearer picture of their impact
• Handle subtle workplace undermining and microaggressions
• Respond rather than react when a difficult boss pushes your buttons
• Consider handling a bad boss without going to HR
• Know when you've tried enough and it's time to consider your options

Contact

Be part of the conversation. If you have a conversational conundrum or a question, please do get in touch via our email: abloodygoodconversation@gmail.com.

References

Previous episodes mentioned

1. The Best Conversation Is the One You Have With Yourself – Series 2, Episode 4
2. Why Good Conversations Feel So Hard Right Now (and what to do about it) – Series 2, Episode 1
3. How to Negotiate Like a Hostage Negotiator – with Scott Walker - Series 1, Episode 10

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Looking for a neutral 360 feedback approach?

Contact Victoria at www.thesuccesssmith.com

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