Resume Writer
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- Feb 7, 2004
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Hi Everyone,
I found this article on another website and thought it might be of some value. The key point I think to remember is that the aviation industry is very small. Never burn bridges as you never know when you will need to cross it later.
Kathy
How to Manage an Unmanageable Boss
Imagine this scenario: You spent months looking for a job in your field, sent out hundreds of resumes and attended countless interviews. After the painstaking self-promotion, soul searching and follow up, you finally got a job that fit your goals and objectives. Now, after a month with the company, you find that your manager is just not up to par.
This situation is not uncommon. In a survey by a Denver-based executive coaching firm, 67 percent of respondents said their company does not deserve their loyalty, due to "lousy manager syndrome." Some employees must work for supervisors who micromanage, disregard feedback, set employees up to fail, or use intimidation as a management tool. While dealing with these issues can be frustrating, don't let them get you down. There are some steps you can take to make the situation better.
Try Talking - If you have consistent problems with your boss, sit down with him or her and have an honest conversation about your working relationship. Sometimes, problems between individuals are cases of misunderstanding or different communication styles. Make notes prior to your meeting and bring up your concerns respectfully. Be careful not to attack or point fingers, however, as these actions could put your supervisor on the defensive.
Keep Written Records - If there is one thing every employee should learn, it's the importance of keeping records. Written records of achievements, complaints, or concerns carry more weight than "he said, she said" statements. Keep notes about incidents you have faced. Hold on to projects you have successfully completed and praise received from others in the company. If you talk to your boss, make a note of the meeting and its outcomes. In an article in the Washington Business Journal, Howard Eisner writes, "Many bosses will pay attention to something that's on paper because it then becomes part of the official record." However, an email to a friend or coworker complaining about your boss does not count as a written record. Always make sure you are professional.
Talk to Human Resources or Your Boss's Supervisor - Sometimes it is best to find a third-party to step in and mediate a difficult situation. In most companies, this third party should be your human resources department. Talk to a human resources manager and openly discuss your concerns. However, make your meeting as professional as possible and back up allegations with good, solid facts. You do not want to come out of the meeting looking like an employee who is simply a poor sport.
Don't Take it Personally - While some issues between employees and supervisors are personal, more often than not the supervisor is having issues of his or her own, or has a negative reputation throughout the company. It is important to handle negative situations professionally, and understand that your supervisor's behavior toward you is not a reflection of your overall worth.
Be Cautious About What You Say - Company gossip travels quickly, and the last thing you want is to bring more negativity upon yourself. If you do need to vent, do it outside the office within your personal support circle.
Focus on The Job, Not the Boss - Sometimes it helps to separate how you feel about your position from how your feel about the boss. If you are happy with the job, focus on that, not on personality differences. Look at your position as one step in your long-term career plan, and do what you need to do to succeed. This might mean gritting your teeth, putting on a smile and finding new ways to work with a difficult supervisor. But in the meantime, get to know others in the company and do your own internal networking. If you shine despite your supervisor, co-workers and other managers throughout the company will take notice.
Know When It's Time to Throw in the Towel - Let's face it, you'll spend a good part of your life at work, and there are times when it is best to move on. If you have tried dealing with the situation professionally and diplomatically and are still truly unhappy, it's time to look for greener pastures. However, make sure you leave on good terms. Your manager may be the ultimate reason you are leaving, but that doesn't mean you need to burn all of the bridges associated with the company.
I found this article on another website and thought it might be of some value. The key point I think to remember is that the aviation industry is very small. Never burn bridges as you never know when you will need to cross it later.
Kathy
How to Manage an Unmanageable Boss
Imagine this scenario: You spent months looking for a job in your field, sent out hundreds of resumes and attended countless interviews. After the painstaking self-promotion, soul searching and follow up, you finally got a job that fit your goals and objectives. Now, after a month with the company, you find that your manager is just not up to par.
This situation is not uncommon. In a survey by a Denver-based executive coaching firm, 67 percent of respondents said their company does not deserve their loyalty, due to "lousy manager syndrome." Some employees must work for supervisors who micromanage, disregard feedback, set employees up to fail, or use intimidation as a management tool. While dealing with these issues can be frustrating, don't let them get you down. There are some steps you can take to make the situation better.
Try Talking - If you have consistent problems with your boss, sit down with him or her and have an honest conversation about your working relationship. Sometimes, problems between individuals are cases of misunderstanding or different communication styles. Make notes prior to your meeting and bring up your concerns respectfully. Be careful not to attack or point fingers, however, as these actions could put your supervisor on the defensive.
Keep Written Records - If there is one thing every employee should learn, it's the importance of keeping records. Written records of achievements, complaints, or concerns carry more weight than "he said, she said" statements. Keep notes about incidents you have faced. Hold on to projects you have successfully completed and praise received from others in the company. If you talk to your boss, make a note of the meeting and its outcomes. In an article in the Washington Business Journal, Howard Eisner writes, "Many bosses will pay attention to something that's on paper because it then becomes part of the official record." However, an email to a friend or coworker complaining about your boss does not count as a written record. Always make sure you are professional.
Talk to Human Resources or Your Boss's Supervisor - Sometimes it is best to find a third-party to step in and mediate a difficult situation. In most companies, this third party should be your human resources department. Talk to a human resources manager and openly discuss your concerns. However, make your meeting as professional as possible and back up allegations with good, solid facts. You do not want to come out of the meeting looking like an employee who is simply a poor sport.
Don't Take it Personally - While some issues between employees and supervisors are personal, more often than not the supervisor is having issues of his or her own, or has a negative reputation throughout the company. It is important to handle negative situations professionally, and understand that your supervisor's behavior toward you is not a reflection of your overall worth.
Be Cautious About What You Say - Company gossip travels quickly, and the last thing you want is to bring more negativity upon yourself. If you do need to vent, do it outside the office within your personal support circle.
Focus on The Job, Not the Boss - Sometimes it helps to separate how you feel about your position from how your feel about the boss. If you are happy with the job, focus on that, not on personality differences. Look at your position as one step in your long-term career plan, and do what you need to do to succeed. This might mean gritting your teeth, putting on a smile and finding new ways to work with a difficult supervisor. But in the meantime, get to know others in the company and do your own internal networking. If you shine despite your supervisor, co-workers and other managers throughout the company will take notice.
Know When It's Time to Throw in the Towel - Let's face it, you'll spend a good part of your life at work, and there are times when it is best to move on. If you have tried dealing with the situation professionally and diplomatically and are still truly unhappy, it's time to look for greener pastures. However, make sure you leave on good terms. Your manager may be the ultimate reason you are leaving, but that doesn't mean you need to burn all of the bridges associated with the company.
I think we all have had a boss like this at one time or another.
