Six ways to fix your relationship with your boss
by Harvard Business Review
2016-08-20 11:45:46.0
SOMETIMES even the best office relationships hit a rut, but if your relationship with your boss is suffering, work can be especially challenging. Here are some strategies for interacting with your manager to get what you need, support your boss’s success and excel at your job.
1. Diagnose the problem — if there is one: Ask yourself some questions: Is it really about me? Am I working on the issues that my boss wants me to be working on? Have I done something to lose her trust?
2. Take responsibility: If you have done something to undermine your boss or lose his trust, acknowledge that you’re at fault and apologize. Assure your boss that you want to work on things, and ask for help getting back on track.
3. Focus on the positive: Focus on what strengths your boss has, not his weaknesses. Try to imagine the situation from his point of view — in other words, try empathizing.
4. Connect: Another way to build rapport with your boss is to connect with her on a human level. Try talking to your manager about topics beyond work. Learning about who your boss is as a person and finding genuine overlaps in interests will give you a deeper understanding of what makes her tick.
5. Make your boss look good: While sucking up is not advised, you can still compliment your boss in front of colleagues or give her credit where it’s due. Demonstrate loyalty to her vision.
6. Consider moving on... or not: If nothing seems to work, consider looking for a new job — or at least a new manager. Alternatively, take it as an opportunity to develop thicker skin.
(Adapted from "What to Do When You and Your Boss Aren’t Getting Along" at HBR.org.)
Harvard Business Review
Picture: THE NEW YORK TIMES/TONY CENICOLA
SOMETIMES even the best office relationships hit a rut, but if your relationship with your boss is suffering, work can be especially challenging. Here are some strategies for interacting with your manager to get what you need, support your boss’s success and excel at your job.
1. Diagnose the problem — if there is one: Ask yourself some questions: Is it really about me? Am I working on the issues that my boss wants me to be working on? Have I done something to lose her trust?
2. Take responsibility: If you have done something to undermine your boss or lose his trust, acknowledge that you’re at fault and apologize. Assure your boss that you want to work on things, and ask for help getting back on track.
3. Focus on the positive: Focus on what strengths your boss has, not his weaknesses. Try to imagine the situation from his point of view — in other words, try empathizing.
4. Connect: Another way to build rapport with your boss is to connect with her on a human level. Try talking to your manager about topics beyond work. Learning about who your boss is as a person and finding genuine overlaps in interests will give you a deeper understanding of what makes her tick.
5. Make your boss look good: While sucking up is not advised, you can still compliment your boss in front of colleagues or give her credit where it’s due. Demonstrate loyalty to her vision.
6. Consider moving on... or not: If nothing seems to work, consider looking for a new job — or at least a new manager. Alternatively, take it as an opportunity to develop thicker skin.
(Adapted from "What to Do When You and Your Boss Aren’t Getting Along" at HBR.org.)
Harvard Business Review
