Do you have a micromanaging boss? Or one that bullies you? Read on to know how to deal with a horrible boss and more.
In my professional career of 9 years now, I have come across about 6 bosses and half of them were horrible. Horrible in the sense that they did not compare to the awesomeness of the other bosses I had the privilege to work with. Yes, you Prerna, Vandana, Vanaye – Power to You, you awesome bosses!
Strategies to Cope with Horrible Bosses
You can totally Google “how to deal with horrible bosses” and there are a dozen articles to help you cope with them.
- How To Handle A Bad Boss: 7 Strategies For ‘Managing Up’ – This wonderful Forbes article written by Margie Warrell details the different personality types of bosses that are horrible and effective strategies to deal with them. I did identify with a few points that resonated with the type of horrible bosses I’ve worked with.
- How Successful People Conquer Bad Bosses is another excellent Inc. article written by the author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0
- Dr. Travis Bradberry talks about the most common scenarios where these horrible bosses thrive and the many ways to handle them.
Yes, there are many ways to cope with horrible bosses.
- If your horrible boss is a micromanager, then asking many questions about the project helps improve the outcome.
- If your horrible boss is a bully, then rather than cower in fear, you stand your ground and work in a way to diffuse the tension.
When you don’t know what else to do, you complain about them.
Does Complaining About Your Horrible Boss Help?
Complaining to your colleagues, complaining to your friends and then coming home and whining about your horrible boss to your spouse. Yes, complaining may take off the edge for a day or two, but there you are again. Stuck in the same old rut. Besides, did you know that all that bitching behind your horrible boss’ back is going to cost you?
Gossiping brings you down, not the person you are gossiping about.
The solution? Either you find a new job or you wish that, somehow, this horrible boss gets hit by a truck on the way to work. You wish. Keep wishing. If you find yourself whining, complaining or gossiping about your boss, you have got to stop that right away. It only increases your stress levels, not help you deal with a horrible boss.
Remind yourself that God has them behaving towards you in that particular manner to mold or change something in you. To build your character. Yes, we can learn from every situation and one of the best things you can learn from a horrible boss is what not to do in a corporate environment. So NOW you need to do the opposite of complaining. Doing something that will quiet your mind, and build up your listening skills – this is what you really need to do to deal with the horrible boss – not add more stress in your life by complaining.
Doing the Opposite of Complaining – Praying
Some problems can be resolved by careful thought and planning, others can be solved by discussion or rearranging priorities. But some problems need prayers more than anything else. There are many strategies to cope with different types of horrible bosses, but they are never a permanent solution. Praying is. When you pray to God, there are two main benefits to it.
#1 Benefit of Praying
GOD is so powerful that he can change or soften your boss’ heart just for you.
I have had a first-hand experience of this. When I needed something very crucial to be done, God changed my boss’ heart for that one day when it had to be done; next day, she was back to hating me, but my work was done. Woot-woot!
#2 Benefit of praying
By praying to God, we become humble and admit that we lean on Him and not on our own abilities. It is one of the best ways of showing your bosses and the others around that we have something better than ourselves to help us – the Holy Spirit who gives us strength to love and forgive.
Why You need to Respect those in Authority
Here is a powerful verse from the Bible. The Bible calls to honor and respect authority, again and again.
“For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honour you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course, you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment but also, to keep a clear conscience.” Romans 13:3-5
I’m assuming that you aren’t familiar with the bible. Allow me to explain in the best way I can.
The above verse was written by Paul at the time when the Romans ruled the Jews. Romans hated the Jews. They were very strict about their laws, taxes and policies.
Jesus never disrespected the Roman authorities or rebelled against them.
So, in that context, when Paul was asking us to be nice to those horrible Roman authorities (who tortured, whipped, jailed the Jews and even killed some brutally – impaling Jesus)
How practical this verse is for us today: To be nice to a boss that just out to get you?
Don’t get me wrong. I am not implying that you keep quiet about an unjust boss who goes against your moral convictions. I’ve stood up to unfair bosses plenty of times. I have dealt with the consequences too. When you stand up to someone who is a higher authority than you, you need to be ready to face the consequences too.
Regardless of how that horrible boss got into that position (whether by a hasty recruitment or a quick promotion call), God put those authorities there for our own good.
When bosses do good, then diligent and honest people like you and me don’t have to worry about anything. When bosses are unjust, that’s when you must become uncomfortable. This is the right opportunity for you to pray for your horrible boss.
Why should you Pray for your horrible boss?
When you pray for your horrible bosses – which by the way could be your husband, your teacher, your parents, anyone above your authority – you also start to observe them closely – after all, you need to be specific about what you are praying for and for that, you need to start paying attention.
- To quiet your emotions about your horrible boss.
- Lift up that veil of perception and feelings of anger or resentment.
- Bring your attention to your horrible boss (instead of your own emotions),
- Praying helps you identify what drives your boss, what motivates them
… and then you start behaving in a manner that helps build your relationship with your horrible boss, not destroy it.
Complaining about your horrible boss, taking longer breaks or slacking off work is only going to mar your own reputation. it will destroy your relationship with your horrible boss and colleagues. So when you do have the urge to complain, pray instead. Pray for your boss and pray for the wisdom to deal with your horrible boss.
Think of it this way, when you take care of yourself by eating well, clothing well and doing everything in your power to keep yourself alive – you love yourself. That is the kind of love Jesus says to have for everyone you come in contact with – and that includes your horrible boss.
So, by praying for your horrible bosses, husbands, teachers or parents, you get into that respect and honor mode automatically, even without trying hard or seeming to be fake in your approach.
I am very open, frank and honest, and that has got me into plenty of trouble in the past – especially with my horrible bosses. Praying for my freelance writing clients has helped me many, many times.
God has helped me not only cope with my problems but also deal with them effectively. Well, I role-play what would Jesus do in this situation and get my answers right away.