When turn
@work/advisor
when
bosses turn
bad If you want to hang on to your health, job and sanity, learn how to handle the person who signs your pay cheque
W
e may have laughed through “My boss is a bully the 2011 blockbuster Horrible Bosses, but having a monstrous – he doesn’t pass on manager can be bad for your health and information, gives me self-esteem. In fact, Swedish research in 2009 found that working for a beastly no notice for meetings boss is a bigger risk factor for heart and OVERlooks me attacks than smoking or a lack of exercise. And while bullying, manipulation for projects” and straight-out sabotage are more Simone, 31, Perth, WA akin to plot lines from the latest John Grisham thriller, when your boss is the A 2010 survey* found that nearly 60 per instigator of such poor behaviour, your cent of people identified their boss as a bully, but, cautions career daily working life can seem coach Kylie Hammond^, like pure hell. These days, it’s important to distinguish shoddy management takes between normal behaviour on many forms – from the and actual bullying: “Being classic bully to the passiveasked to attend meetings at aggressive “friend”. Here, of people last minute is annoying, we get expert advice on claim their the but take it in your stride and how to deal with different boss is a show flexibility. You’re equally bad-boss scenarios, and * responsible for cultivating practical tips to ensure a productive relationship.” you come out on top.
58%
bully
88
“My boss acts like my friend, but uses that to avoid giving me pay rises. I feel I am being manipulated” Kate, 35, Sydney, NSW No-one likes to be played, but to make it in the workplace your boss could be your closest ally. According to Gallup research**, you’re more likely to remain with a company, feel satisfied with your career and be productive if you have office friends – particularly the boss. Keep personal and business issues separate in discussions, advises Hammond. “If your boss manipulates you based on your friendship, set boundaries and say: ‘I respect and value our friendship outside of work, but I think it’s important we focus on my work contribution in this discussion.’”
photographed by Phillip toledano/trunkarchive.com/snapper media. text by cora lydon. *“extent and effects of workplace bullying”, know bull! australia (2010). ^www.kyliehammond.com.au. **vital friends: the people you can’t afford to live without (gallup press, $27.95). +www.nourishcoaching.com.au. †employee enragement: why people hate working for you (JA WORLDWIDE), www.jamesadonis.com. ^^WWW.aim.com.au. ‡“bosses across the globe are failing in the basics of leadership”, ddi (2012). ¥“persuadable research survey finds 25% of employees not satisfied with boss” (2011). #WWW.kellyservices.com.au
be afraid
“My boss pigeonholes me as admin – yet I’d love to do more creative work. How can I demonstrate what I can do?” Carrie, 29, Redcliffe, Qld Firstly, make sure you are in the right job. If your role is administrative, then there will be no guarantee of creative projects. However, according to career coach SallyAnne Blanshard+, if you do find yourself in a less-than-fulfilling position – but one that has the potential for growth – you could steer your own role by showing your boss how multiskilled you are. “If you’re assigned the admin, blitz that and show you have capacity to take on extra projects, or assist with creative tasks,” she says. “No manager likes to see you twiddling your thumbs, so the more capable you come across the more you’ll be assigned.”
“My boss always gives me muddled briefs and insufficient feedback. How can I get him to communicate better?” Vicky, 28, Ballarat, Vic A survey† by employee-engagement expert James Adonis found that poor communication is the third most common reason for employees feeling frustrated at work. But, says Vivienne Anthon, CEO at the Australian Institute of Management^^, communication works both ways. “You have to bring some skill to the table and manage up to get what you want – stop thinking the boss should communicate exactly the way you want.” What strategies can she offer? “You need to know how your boss likes to communicate and work with that, even if it’s uncomfortable for you. Secondly, understand how the boss takes communication and present in that fashion. If the boss needs to know how you reached a decision, have the answer.”
poor
communication
#3 is the
Janey, 28, Wollongong, NSW
most common
reason for employees feeling
frustrated at work
†
“I’m determined to prove myself at work, but even when colleagues congratulate me, my manager finds fault” Zoe, 34, Adelaide, SA It’s easy to lose confidence at work. A global report‡ from talent-management company DDI found that 60 per cent of employees say their boss sometimes, most of the time, or always damages their selfesteem. Kalena Jefferson, human resource director at Kelly Services say their Australia#, advises tackling the problem head-on. “Gather sometimes, most of the examples that demonstrate when time, or you’ve excelled and arrange a damages meeting to discuss their ‡ self-esteem performance. Ask for feedback to clarify expectations and make sure you understand what high performance looks like.” Jefferson also says we should have faith in our colleagues’ opinions. “These are people you engage with daily and being respected by co-workers can have just as much weight as your manager’s opinion.”
60% boss
always
“My manager shows enthusiasm for my ideas – but then passes them off as her own” “Although being part of a team requires give and take, if others take credit for your ideas it can feel unjust and potentially hamper your career development,” agrees Jefferson. So how can you protect your ideas, especially when a 2011 survey¥ by Persuadable Research Corporation revealed that 11 per cent of respondents claimed their boss acts unethically? “Ask to present an idea you are personally passionate about to more senior staff. As a last resort, keep a diary of your ideas and when you shared them with your manager, so if the problem escalates you have a record,” suggests Jefferson.
How to get along with the boss ■ Recognise your boss’s strengths and weaknesses and work with them rather than against them. ■ Know whether they
like you to get on with a project or check-in each day, or whether they prefer a face-to-face catch-up or an email.
■ Instead of moaning
about your boss’s lack of diplomacy, focus on the positives – do they encourage you, inspire you and allow you freedom? www.marieclaire.com.au
89
when
bosses turn
bad If you want to hang on to your health, job and sanity, learn how to handle the person who signs your pay cheque
W
e may have laughed through “My boss is a bully the 2011 blockbuster Horrible Bosses, but having a monstrous – he doesn’t pass on manager can be bad for your health and information, gives me self-esteem. In fact, Swedish research in 2009 found that working for a beastly no notice for meetings boss is a bigger risk factor for heart and OVERlooks me attacks than smoking or a lack of exercise. And while bullying, manipulation for projects” and straight-out sabotage are more Simone, 31, Perth, WA akin to plot lines from the latest John Grisham thriller, when your boss is the A 2010 survey* found that nearly 60 per instigator of such poor behaviour, your cent of people identified their boss as a bully, but, cautions career daily working life can seem coach Kylie Hammond^, like pure hell. These days, it’s important to distinguish shoddy management takes between normal behaviour on many forms – from the and actual bullying: “Being classic bully to the passiveasked to attend meetings at aggressive “friend”. Here, of people last minute is annoying, we get expert advice on claim their the but take it in your stride and how to deal with different boss is a show flexibility. You’re equally bad-boss scenarios, and * responsible for cultivating practical tips to ensure a productive relationship.” you come out on top.
58%
bully
88
“My boss acts like my friend, but uses that to avoid giving me pay rises. I feel I am being manipulated” Kate, 35, Sydney, NSW No-one likes to be played, but to make it in the workplace your boss could be your closest ally. According to Gallup research**, you’re more likely to remain with a company, feel satisfied with your career and be productive if you have office friends – particularly the boss. Keep personal and business issues separate in discussions, advises Hammond. “If your boss manipulates you based on your friendship, set boundaries and say: ‘I respect and value our friendship outside of work, but I think it’s important we focus on my work contribution in this discussion.’”
photographed by Phillip toledano/trunkarchive.com/snapper media. text by cora lydon. *“extent and effects of workplace bullying”, know bull! australia (2010). ^www.kyliehammond.com.au. **vital friends: the people you can’t afford to live without (gallup press, $27.95). +www.nourishcoaching.com.au. †employee enragement: why people hate working for you (JA WORLDWIDE), www.jamesadonis.com. ^^WWW.aim.com.au. ‡“bosses across the globe are failing in the basics of leadership”, ddi (2012). ¥“persuadable research survey finds 25% of employees not satisfied with boss” (2011). #WWW.kellyservices.com.au
be afraid
“My boss pigeonholes me as admin – yet I’d love to do more creative work. How can I demonstrate what I can do?” Carrie, 29, Redcliffe, Qld Firstly, make sure you are in the right job. If your role is administrative, then there will be no guarantee of creative projects. However, according to career coach SallyAnne Blanshard+, if you do find yourself in a less-than-fulfilling position – but one that has the potential for growth – you could steer your own role by showing your boss how multiskilled you are. “If you’re assigned the admin, blitz that and show you have capacity to take on extra projects, or assist with creative tasks,” she says. “No manager likes to see you twiddling your thumbs, so the more capable you come across the more you’ll be assigned.”
“My boss always gives me muddled briefs and insufficient feedback. How can I get him to communicate better?” Vicky, 28, Ballarat, Vic A survey† by employee-engagement expert James Adonis found that poor communication is the third most common reason for employees feeling frustrated at work. But, says Vivienne Anthon, CEO at the Australian Institute of Management^^, communication works both ways. “You have to bring some skill to the table and manage up to get what you want – stop thinking the boss should communicate exactly the way you want.” What strategies can she offer? “You need to know how your boss likes to communicate and work with that, even if it’s uncomfortable for you. Secondly, understand how the boss takes communication and present in that fashion. If the boss needs to know how you reached a decision, have the answer.”
poor
communication
#3 is the
Janey, 28, Wollongong, NSW
most common
reason for employees feeling
frustrated at work
†
“I’m determined to prove myself at work, but even when colleagues congratulate me, my manager finds fault” Zoe, 34, Adelaide, SA It’s easy to lose confidence at work. A global report‡ from talent-management company DDI found that 60 per cent of employees say their boss sometimes, most of the time, or always damages their selfesteem. Kalena Jefferson, human resource director at Kelly Services say their Australia#, advises tackling the problem head-on. “Gather sometimes, most of the examples that demonstrate when time, or you’ve excelled and arrange a damages meeting to discuss their ‡ self-esteem performance. Ask for feedback to clarify expectations and make sure you understand what high performance looks like.” Jefferson also says we should have faith in our colleagues’ opinions. “These are people you engage with daily and being respected by co-workers can have just as much weight as your manager’s opinion.”
60% boss
always
“My manager shows enthusiasm for my ideas – but then passes them off as her own” “Although being part of a team requires give and take, if others take credit for your ideas it can feel unjust and potentially hamper your career development,” agrees Jefferson. So how can you protect your ideas, especially when a 2011 survey¥ by Persuadable Research Corporation revealed that 11 per cent of respondents claimed their boss acts unethically? “Ask to present an idea you are personally passionate about to more senior staff. As a last resort, keep a diary of your ideas and when you shared them with your manager, so if the problem escalates you have a record,” suggests Jefferson.
How to get along with the boss ■ Recognise your boss’s strengths and weaknesses and work with them rather than against them. ■ Know whether they
like you to get on with a project or check-in each day, or whether they prefer a face-to-face catch-up or an email.
■ Instead of moaning
about your boss’s lack of diplomacy, focus on the positives – do they encourage you, inspire you and allow you freedom? www.marieclaire.com.au
89
