Dealing With a Toxic Boss
Dealing with a toxic boss can be tricky – it can affect your career and personal life. While you may be tempted to avoid this person like the plague, you cannot ignore the situation. While a toxic boss may lead to your termination, this should not be your only option. Instead, you should use these tips to deal with this person while remaining in your career. There are several effective ways to deal with a toxic boss.
Avoiding abusive language
If you’re working under a toxic boss, it’s crucial that you avoid using abusive language to explain your feelings. Abuse is a form of manipulation, and a reaction will only make matters worse. The best how to deal with a toxic boss is to remain calm and avoid reacting emotionally. This way, you’ll avoid triggering the person’s immature behavior. If you feel the need to express anger, avoid pointing fingers at your boss and stay away from any confrontation.
Avoiding ambiguity
Dealing with ambiguity is an important part of tackling this type of toxic boss. There are four main reasons for ambiguity, and understanding them can help you deal with this problem effectively. The Pareto principle suggests that 80% of events are caused by 20% of the causes. As a result, it is important to be as specific as possible in your communication. You can avoid ambiguity by being as clear as possible about the outcome you expect from your actions.
Trying to fake nice
Faking nice is the last thing a toxic boss will appreciate. If you are trying to work for someone with toxic traits, you might be disappointed when they try to pass on their responsibilities. If you are an employee who has to work for this kind of person, you should try to find ways to avoid working with them. If you can’t avoid dealing with this type of person, here are some tips for dealing with your toxic boss:
Avoiding ego-massaging
To avoid ego-massaging when dealing with your toxic boss, it is crucial to be objective and stick to the facts. Toxic bosses are often immature and may not realize that they are hurting you. Trying to make them feel better by praising them is counterproductive and may incite further mistreatment. Instead, try to make the toxic boss feel better by offering a solution. Giving partial credit to them can also be a way to stroke their ego, but do it carefully.
In conclusion, here are a few steps to take if you’re dealing and want to understand how to deal with a toxic boss:
- Identify the signs that your boss is toxic and harmful to your work environment.
- Evaluate whether you can safely confront your toxic boss about their behavior.
- Create a severance package or leave on good terms if you decide to confront.
- Seek professional help from a career counselor or therapist if necessary.