Unfortunately, this happens quite often: the management turns out to be (or becomes) inadequate. What to do if at this moment you cannot change jobs?
“Toxic” managers are a special kind of office creatures that not only poison your life, but sometimes simply interfere with your work with their instability, irascibility, commitment to some “high” idea that only they understand. The rest of the subordinates are forced to agree, tolerate nagging and maneuver with all their might.
Toxic bosses are usually charismatic and 100% charming when you first meet them. However, after a while, the mask of goodwill falls off, and the subordinate is faced with constant hints of incompetence. And sometimes in the harshest form.
Another sign is incredible self-confidence, which borders on narcissism. The idea that irreplaceable people do not exist is exactly from this series. And it will be aired daily under the title “I am the soul and conscience of the team, and you are not.”
The ability and willingness to take risks (or, in other words, to go for broke) is another quality that toxic leaders use to advance their careers. Incidentally, this is not always about honest methods.
Intrigue and scandal are the preferred and understandable ways to achieve goals.
A toxic manager is dangerous because he professionally creates an unbearable working atmosphere, immerses his subordinates in an atmosphere of constant stress and moral pressure, which, ultimately, damages your self-esteem, psychological state and affects your life outside the office.
Clash: The Beginning
If you are faced with a toxic boss, you need to decide for yourself: do you enter into an open confrontation or, as they say, bend over (within reason, of course). Open confrontation involves a more stressful option, because you will have to fight not only with the boss, but also with his team. Therefore, before going to the barricades, it would be a good idea to enlist the support of the team and build relationships with your superiors. Sensitive natures should definitely not take on this.
The second option of behavior is the absence of a counterattack, but the maximum possible defense, which will be worked out clearly and without unnecessary emotions.
Dealing with toxic bosses takes some learning. Here are some tips.
Prepare for defense
Even the most monstrous boss is a human being deep down inside. Watch him: how he talks, what he reacts to most aggressively, what his habits are (other than driving people crazy). Such close study can help you properly prepare to repel a blow.
Are he annoyed by trendy words? Eliminate them from your speech when talking to him. Is he obsessed with cleanliness in his workplace? Clean your desk before he arrives so as not to give him any more reason to reprimand you.
Analyze how exactly he makes decisions, when it is better to approach him with a question, so as not to bring down an avalanche of anger on yourself. Remember: you cannot convince him, even if you have common sense – such people do not admit that they are wrong. Your task is to think through your line of behavior, taking into account certain conditions.
Grow your shell
The toxic boss’s main weapon is emotions. Train yourself not to react to his comments and do not allow your self-esteem to suffer. His entire mechanism of behavior is built on such intimidation: humiliate, destroy, intimidate, subjugate. Understand your emotions: they should not be suppressed, but worked through. Every day, critically analyze all negative thoughts, note what exactly offends you the most, and what you need to forget in order to remain calm and unperturbed.
Don’t screw up
Nobody is perfect, but don’t give obvious reasons for nitpicking. Be as competent as possible, disciplined, do your job well. The fewer mistakes you make, the more likely it is that the storm clouds will be blown away by the wind to someone else.
Train your flexibility
I don’t mean to say that you need to please a toxic boss (usually you can’t), but learning how to deal with such a person will be useful for your future career. Toxic people in business are not that rare.
Don’t let yourself be humiliated, but it won’t hurt to sometimes do more than is required of you: for your own sake and to improve your own competence.
Professional communication is the only language your boss can understand. Numbers, charts, analytics — these are your constant communication tools, not phrases like, “Well, I think.” You don’t have to think, you have to know. And know for sure. Become a professional faster than the situation requires, so you can choose your job and boss.