What if You and Your Boss Don't Get Along Well?




Whistle Blowers
Knowledge Center

Translate

Best Practices
16
Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands

What if You and Your Boss Don't Get Along Well?

If you don't get along, dislike or even hate your superior, that is an awkward situation to be in. Sometimes this situation occurs when a new person is appointed as your supervisor.
According to Gallup research, typical grievances about a “bad boss” include micromanagement, bullying people, avoiding conflicts, not taking decisions, stealing credits for successes, shifting blame when things go wrong, keeping information to themselves, not listening properly, setting a poor example, and not developing staff.

INSEAD Prof. Kets de Vries, a reputable leadership expert, recommends the following tactics to resolve dysfunctional dynamics with your manager:
  1. PRACTICE EMPATHY. Be empathetic and put yourself in the shoes of your manager. Consider why (s)he is acting in that way. Is (s)he really inherently such a bad person? What pressures is (s)he under?
  2. CONSIDER YOUR OWN ROLE. Look at yourself in a critical manner. Could it be you are part of the problem? Also observe and ask colleagues for their view on the situation.
  3. OFFER A CHANCE TO CHANGE. If you are still convinced you’re not the problem, carefully prepare a meeting with your boss in a safe, private setting like a restaurant where you won’t be disdurbed and where it will be difficult for both people to leave prematurely. Announce beforehand that you have some serious personal concerns to discuss.
  4. ORGANIZE A MUTINY. Make a substantial business case and collect documents and proof of your superior’s bad behavior and impact on the organization. Ask colleagues to support you in written form. If you can't build a strong case, you are well advised to skip this option and consider the next option instead. Remember mutiny and whistle-blowing may damage your current and even future job prospects.
  5. PLAY FOR TIME OR MOVE ON. You can wait for some time to see if your bad boss leaves or things improve for another reason. If they don’t, simply leave. It's better for your stress levels. And after all, the world is so much bigger than the company you’re currently working in…
⇒ What are your experiences and recommendations regarding this awkward situation?

Source: Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, “Do You Hate Your Boss? How to Deal with it.”, HBR Fall 2018, pp.30-33.
 

Rating

 
7
Musonda Ernest Kabwe
Zambia
 

What if You and your Boss don't Get Along Well?

When you identify that you do not get along, you should choose to be happy and make sure to always d... Sign up

 
3
Riphagen
Financial Consultant, Netherlands
 

Football Examples of these Tactics

I think it is a good summary of the tactics. If you look at leadership situations in the public spot... Sign up

 
0
Allemeersch
Interim Manager, Belgium
 

You are Still Master of your Destiny

I agree that empathy should be your first exercise. It is normal for instance that a bean counter an... Sign up

 
4
Francis Joseph
United Kingdom
 

Don’t Get Along with your Boss? Request a Meeting

If a situation like this presents itself I will always maintain some level of respect and keep commu... Sign up

 
1
C.L. Kappagomtula
Professor, Malaysia
 

Your Feelings of a Bad Boss Could Be a Myopic View and your Perception

No boss is truly good or bad. It is an individual's perception. What you see as a bad boss may be a ... Sign up

 
1
Justus Nyangau
Business Consultant, Kenya
 

What if You and your Boss Don't Get Along Well?

It is normal that you can't be in agreement with everyone. It is good to take some time to understan... Sign up

 
1
Ragab Gouda
Manager, Egypt
 

You and your Bad Boss

First you should take some time to understand your new boss (his educational level, his experience, ... Sign up

 
0
Moustapha Kaba
Teacher, Guinea
 

If You and your Boss don't Get Along

Take distance from your boss to avoid conflicts or discussions if he/she is not happy to work with y... Sign up

 
0
Magassouba
Manager, Guinea
 

If You don't Get Along Well with your Boss, what to Do?

If you don't get along well with your boss, what you should do is to find out the cause, the source ... Sign up

 
3
tebere moro james
Manager
 

Some People may never Change their Primary Characteristics

From my own experiences, I once had an immediate line manager whom they warned me of his character, ... Sign up

 
0
Justus Nyangau
Business Consultant, Kenya
 

Some People may never Change their Primary Characteristics

@tebere moro james: We should understand that we all have different competences. Your competence cou... Sign up

 
2
Maurice Hogarth
Consultant, United Kingdom
 

Manage your Manager

As listed, there are many reasons (perceptions) for conflict with a line-manager with perceptions fr... Sign up

 
0
PeterMaria van Herpen
Switzerland
 

Sometimes it Really Does not Work

And be honest with yourself: Some personalities just do not fit together. And then it indeed is time... Sign up

   

More on Whistle Blowers:
Summary
Discussion Topics
👀What if You and Your Boss Don't Get Along Well?
Dealing with an Office Snitch or Tell-tale
Preparing to Blow the Whistle: How to Be Competently Courageous
🔥 Cash-for-Information Programs
When to Become a Whistle Blower
Special Interest Group

Do you know a lot about Whistle Blowers? Become our SIG Leader

Whistle Blowers
Knowledge Center



About 12manage | Advertising | Link to us / Cite us | Privacy | Suggestions | Terms of Service
© 2023 12manage - The Executive Fast Track. V16.1 - Last updated: 9-6-2023. All names ™ of their owners.