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How to Deal With Difficult Bosses
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    Human Resources Employee Management

    How to Deal With Difficult Bosses

    Use These Ideas to Know How to Deal with Your Difficult Manager

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    By Susan M. Heathfield
    Updated March 02, 2017

    Nothing is more destructive in the workplace than difficult bosses. Every employee has a series of bosses over their working career. Hopefully, most of your bosses are competent, kind, and even, worthy of your trust and respect.

    Unfortunately, too often, employees have difficult bosses who impact their desire to engage and contribute at work. It is no surprise that employees who quit their job are most frequently leaving their bosses, not necessarily the company or their job.

    As the single most disruptive or contributing relationship in the workplace, getting along with the boss is critical for employee retention. Find out more about how to deal with difficult bosses.

  • 01
    Bad to the Bone: Dealing With a Bad Boss or Bad Managers

    Woman demonstrates frustration and covers her ears
    ••• Your Boss May Not Know How Bad He Really Is. ONOKY - Eric Herchaft/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

    You're weary. You're frustrated. You're unhappy. You're demotivated. Your interaction with your boss leaves you cold. He's a bully, intrusive, controlling, picky and petty. He takes credit for your work, never provides positive feedback and misses each meeting he schedules with you.

    He's a bad boss, bad to the bone. Dealing with less than effective managers, or just plain bad managers and bad bosses, is a challenge too many employees face. These ideas will help you deal with your bad boss.

  • 02
    How to Fire Your Bad Boss

    How to get your bad boss fired.
    ••• Ralf Hiemisch/Getty Images

    Is you bad boss more difficult than the average bad boss who is just not very good with recognition and clear direction? Your bad boss, in contrast, is a nasty, demeaning, motivation-destroying, screaming bully. This is the type of bad boss you may want to invest the time to fire.

    But, you need to proceed carefully and in an informed manner so that you don't take yourself and your career down in the process. Find out how.

  • 03
    What Makes a Bad Boss - Bad?

    What makes a bad boss bad?

    Nothing sparks more commentary than asking about what makes managers bad bosses. With the lengthy comments I've received from readers, I found some common themes in site visitor responses about bosses.

    Want to avoid becoming a bad boss? Afraid that you may already be considered a bad boss? Just want to commiserate with other people who have bad bosses? Here are the pertinent themes about bad bosses.

  • 04
    Are You the Victim of a Bad Boss?

    Are you the victim of a bad boss? See how to get along.

    How many times have you witnessed an employee working in a supervisory position who doesn't have the knowledge or skills needed to do the job? Have you asked why some bosses get the management roles that they do? Because these issues exist in the workplace, I predict that at least once in your work life, you will do your job at the mercy of a bad boss. These ideas will help you deal with your bad bosses.

  • 05
    How to Tick Off Your Boss

    Woman texting at work
    ••• Inti St Clair/Getty Images

    Face it. There are probably things that you do that drive your manager up a wall. And, as a result, you think of her as a bad boss. You need to identify the actions you take and the things that you do that drive her crazy. Until you do, you won't get along with your boss.

    If you want to get back at your boss and destroy your own career possibilities in the process (because even a bad boss is still your boss), try doing these ten things and see how fast you can make your boss angry.

  • 06
    Tips to Help You Get Along With Your Boss

    Face it, whether you want to admit it or not, you're the person who is in charge of your relationship with your boss. No one will ever be as concerned and involved as you–including your boss–that the quality of your relationship helps you achieve your career goals.

    Your boss shares a critical interdependence with you since he has information that you need to succeed. But, he also can't do his job or accomplish his goals without your help. See how to get along.

  • 07
    5 Tips to Improve Your Relationship with Your Micromanaging Boss

    You can manage your micro-managing boss and create a good boss relationship.

    Most micro-managing bosses are not bad people–although it may feel that way as they peer over your shoulder and question you at length about everything that you're working on. If you're a smart employee, you'll recognize that it's not usually you who has the problem.

    As crazy as it makes you feel, you can manage your micro-managing boss. Here are five tips about how to do this.

  • 08
    6 Tips for Working With a Younger Boss

    Working for a younger boss is a challenge but you're up to getting along in this difficult situation.
    ••• Ezra Bailey / Getty Images

    We all expect that boss positions are assigned because the employee has years of experience, supervisory and management skills, and the capability to lead other employees. If you believe this, think again. You may one day find yourself working for a boss who is much younger than you and who lacks the expected skills and experience. 

    How do you handle working for a boss who is not only much younger than you but may also have a lot less experience on the job? Here are six tips for working for a younger manager.

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