Dealing With A Bad Boss
what to do
Set up regular progress reports. On a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), sit down with your boss and bring him up-to-date on projects. The effect? Developing the boss/employee relationship, which will ultimately make working together more favorable.
Focus on the problem, not the boss. Perhaps the boss isn't the problem; maybe you just can't get a good communication flow going. Don't be shy to pull him aside when something doesn't go your way. Talk things over and don't take it personally.
Work with your boss, not against him. Doing joint work will promote chemistry between you and your manager. Be proactive and let him take some credit for your good work, so long as he's aware of the source of it.
Go over his head. If you see that you're going nowhere fast, then consider talking to his supervisor. Being productive is far more important than pleasing your boss, at the expense of the company.
Plan an out-of-office meeting. Do you keep trying to catch your boss for two minutes to pitch him a new idea, but he doesn't have time? Invite him for a quick drink after work to discuss some things. This encounter will serve the dual purpose of showing you take your job to heart and want to better your boss/employee relation.
Change departments, or quit. If all else fails, ask to be transferred to another department if you work in a big enough firm — or simply hand in your resignation letter. Only you know your own worth, and if you don't feel respected, motivated and so on, then move on.
career tip of the week
Keep in mind that getting a job is not an easy thing to do, and keeping it also requires a great deal of work — just like any relationship. So if the only culprit at work is your boss, learn to play the cards you're dealt and make the most of what you don't have.See you up the corporate ladder.
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