A stressful lifestyle, hectic schedule and demanding career is a lethal combination for every woman these days. To top it, if you have to encounter an irritating boss every single day, you are sure of the fact that life is turning into hell. It’s like dying day in day out, managing home, kids, husband and rushing to the office to say ‘Good Morning’ to a nagging boss, who deserves nothing but one, big tight slap! Do you experience the same, lady? In that case, you must read these top 10 ways to deal with a nagging boss.
Formula #1 Show it through work
The very first and most important way of making your boss stop yelling is by showing it through your work. You know what, ladies are bestowed with this supernatural power of multi-tasking and dishing out impeccable work. Summon this power of yours and put it to good use. When you show your boss that there is nothing to complain about, then he/she will be left with no choice but to shut up.
Formula #2 Boost your self-confidence
If it’s in your boss’ nature to irritate subordinates, nothing can be done about it. He/she will use every chance to put you down, sometimes in person, sometimes in public. No matter what happens, always make sure you never lose your self-confidence. If you think that you are drowning, learn new ways to boost your self-confidence. Talk to your hubby, ask him to boost your morale or simpler, meditate. Focus on your positive energies and there can be nothing in the world that can stop you.
Formula #3 Trust yourself
An annoying boss is all about complaints, queries and pointing out mistakes. In order to avoid all of this, you must first learn to trust yourself. If he/she cross-questions you about your work, be confident enough to answer. Tell to yourself, ‘I’ve given my 100% and I generally don’t go wrong’. Many a times, bosses have this habit of proving you wrong and if you are gullible, you end up accepting what they say. At such times, your conviction will come to your rescue and conviction comes through self-belief.
Formula # 4 Think of your achievements
Whenever you feel let down or your boss makes you feel so, instead of sulking, think of your achievements in the past. Tell yourself, “If I could do it then, I can do it even now”. The most successful people have had to endure a life of hardships. Who knows, these experiences might carve a successful person out of you! So, think of the hardships that you’ve had to face in the past and ask yourself to face the present with firmness.
Formula #5 Avoid arguments
You must have heard it many a times from your colleagues, ‘The boss is always right’. Well, even the boss thinks so. But, I’m not telling you to do the same. Think laterally about this. If your boss begins an argument with an assumption that he/she will have his/her say in the end, there’s no point arguing. No matter how silly or illogical the proposition is, do not argue or show your talent. When the instruction falls into the pit, you can always say that you just followed what you were expected to!
Formula #6 Ask for advice
By asking for advice, I mean ask your boss for advice! When your boss disapproves some work of yours or your work pattern, then you must, too politely, ask for suggestions. Ask him/her to explain in detail how he/she wants work to be done. If your way is wrong, you’d get the right direction. But, if your boss is wrong, he/she’ll realize his mistake while explaining stuff to you.
Formula # 7 Shake hands with sarcasm
No matter how smart and how dumb, there can be no boss in the world who cannot understand the language of sarcasm. Hence, you must shake hands with sarcasm. Convey your spite in the most hilarious tone. You’d realize with time that you are able to vent out your frustration without being outright contemptuous. Smart move, right?
Formula #8 Never give your boss a chance
Bosses usually have this tendency to exploit your Achilles’ heel and blame you for every wrong doing. In order to avoid such things, you must make sure you never give your boss a chance. I’ve known many a women in my neighborhood who crib before their boss about their son’s nanny not showing up for a day, which makes them take a leave or concentrate less on their work. In such cases, there are chances that your boss may attribute your failure to perform to your constant preoccupation with your personal life.
Formula #9 Learn to counter attack
Many a times, it happens that your boss is as dumb as a stick. But, when a project works out fine, he/she is smart enough to take all the credit for the effort that you’ve put in. This leaves you devastated, affects your quality of work and gives your boss a chance to take up your case. To avoid this in the future, learn to counter attack. Whenever a new project begins, make sure you enlighten your boss about everything that is happening through e-mails. While you mark a mail to your boss, cc it to a senior colleague or your boss’ senior just to ensure that everyone is kept in the loop. Who knows, during the next project, you might get all the credit for your work and appreciation from your boss’ boss!
Formula #10 Quit the job
This is the last thing that I’d suggest because I don’t believe in quitting the battle like a coward. But, it happens at times, that it’s just not possible to tolerate the boss anymore. In that case, you may choose to quit the job. But, listen to what I say. Make sure, you find a better or a suitable job. Do not forget that you might have to experience a similar tendency when you change the workplace. So it’s best to part ways on a happy note. You must make your boss realize that he/she would be losing a wonderful employee.
An irritating boss is truly a pain in the neck. To add to this, if your boss turns out to be a male chauvinist pig, it’s even more difficult. But, the only mantra that I’d suggest is never leave hope. Try every possible way to come to terms with it for you have to pave the way for your own successful career. Perhaps, post 10 years, you’d realize that it was because you had such a boss that you learnt to tackle the toughest of situations! All the best!