3 Bad Boss Personalitiesand How to Deal With Them -The Muse

3 badeanstalt Boss Personalitiesand How to Deal With Them -The Muse3 Bad Boss Personalities- and How to Deal With ThemAwful baboes are highly entertaining on-screen (look no further than Meryl Streeps fabulously vicious Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada). But in the real world, a terrible boss is anything but amusing.For all that a nightmare supervisor may make you want to quit your job, thats not always an option. Read on for three common types of bad-boss personalities and some quick suggestions for how to cope.1. Bad Boss Personality The Credit HogI eagerly await the day when all supervisors understand that talking up their employees highlights the value of the entire team- both the fabulous worker and the person smart enough to hire her. But in the meantime, there are some supervisors who think their job is only safe so long as the C-suite thinks theyre the sole person on staff with brilliant ideas.The temptation here is to set the record straight, and shout from the roof tops- or over a group email- that you had the idea that saved the day. But, as you probably already know, a, No, it welches my idea back and forth wont do any good.How to Deal Credit the Team EnvironmentWhat you can do is reinforce the idea that youre a part of a team whenever the project comes up. Think When you hear, It was brilliant of John to suggest we move the annual conference up two months try following up with something like, Yes, the whole team really came together with wonderful ideas to improve on the event weve held in years past.First, this approach makes you look good because everyone loves a team player. Second, it makes you mora likely to be heard than a he said, she said approach. Finally, it still accomplishes your goal of reminding others that John gets his ideas from a room full of staff.2. Bad Boss Personality The One Who Steers You WrongIt can be very frustrating when your boss instincts couldnt be further from your own. You go to him for advice, and instead o f a game plan, you come away with directives you dont want to follow.Frankly, this may be a problem of your own creation. Youre asking for help, and hes trying to provide it. The fact that you dont want to take his suggestions (but feel like you have to) is a different story.How to Deal Ask for Approval, Rather than AdviceTry seeking out a new sounding board. Perhaps your boss always suggests a direct approach, and youd rather be more delicate. Is there a colleague or mentor who seems to always get your approach? Especially if this person is well-respected within the organization, youll be getting helpful advice and an ally all in one.Then, in your next meeting, instead of saying, How would you suggest I tackle this issue? try, I was uncertain how best to approach a client with a difficult personality. Sarah- who also has some tough clients- suggested the following approach, and I think it will work well. That way, youre still keeping your boss informed- and letting him weigh in if necessary- but you should have more opportunities to handle things in a way that makes sense to you.3. Bad Boss Personality The Boss Who Loves to Say NoEvery time you approach your boss with a new way to get things done, she says, No. Whether its about a tight budget, a lack of resources, or just a penchant for the way things have always been done, she doesnt want to hear anything thats a break from the status quo.Well, my question is Are you a glutton for punishment? Do you think that, one day, after months of sharing every idea that pops in your head, your boss will suddenly change her tune and say, Yes, thats a brilliant innovation? (I know from experience Its not going to happen.)The truth is, youre probably fighting a battle you cant win. You want to demonstrate that you think outside the box (which she doesnt value). Or you think your way is better than hers (which she doesnt believe). Or you disagree with how things are done (which doesnt matter to her).How to Deal Take Your Ideas Somewhere ElseIf this rings true, youre not a culture fit. Its hard to hear, because from where youre standing, its your boss who isnt a fit. But if the company decided to place her in a management role, its putting stock in her approach. Certainly you can wait it out a bit, or you can even discuss your frustrations with other leaders or human resources. But if might be a better approach to start channeling your creativity and new ideas toward updating your resume.The supervisor-employee relationship is a significant one, and its frustrating when it feels like its not working. Try the tips above to get back on track.