How To Deal With A Toxic Boss

So after my post about dealing with toxic employees, I have been asked to write a post on how to deal with toxic employers.

Contextually speaking, we spend most of our week day at work. It is therefore of vital importance to ensure that our relationships at work have a positive influence on us physically and mentally.

Unfortunately for some, it is not that case that you have a good boss. It is a lot easier to avoid difficult coworkers. Less so when it’s the person who can fire you.*

Of course, leaving the job and moving on is an option, but why should you have to abandon your career because of your difficult boss? If leaving isn’t an option for whatever reason, here are some tips to deal with a toxic boss.

1) It’s not you. It’s them

In other words, don’t take it personally. If you are truly confident in your abilities, and you know you work hard and smartly, what your toxic boss says should be like water off a duck’s back to you. 

Easier said that done. I know. But remember: whatever the problem is, it’s not yours. It’s theirs.

2) Everybody’s Human

Just because they are in a management position doesn’t make them perfect. Yes, they should have better people skills, but this isn’t always the case. We all have room to improve. Your boss is no different.

3) How to neutralise the micro-manager

Have you got a boss who makes you feel as if you are constantly under surveillance? Your handwriting. Your sentence. Your shoe colour. Your use of the stapler rather than a paperclip.

One way of dealing with the micro-manager is to prove yourself to be competent, disciplined and flexible whilst always keeping the line of communication open.

4) Maintain your sanity

No really.

The amount of hours you will spend venting about your toxic boss will merely mount if you lose focus. The way of getting through day by day is utilising your own skills to summarise your discussions, and have as many communications as possible in writing so there is a paper trail.

5) Should you leave?

If all other options are extinguished, this may be the best option. Not all toxic employers can be managed through practical and/or emotional mechanisms. 

Finding new employment is the best choice when the only other option is to continue enduring harassment or emotional abuse (in which case, you should get legal advice from someone…. me!)

*For the record, my boss is fantastic!