Whether you have to deal with a demanding boss or difficult colleague, below are a few tips that may help you navigate that situation.
Understand what motivates them.
You need to understand what motivates the person giving you these demands. Are they trying to help you? To make you feel good about yourself? Or are they just being mean? They want you to succeed if they’re trying to help you out. So if you do something well, give them credit. If you don’t do something right, find out why and try to fix it. If you’re not doing anything wrong, their motivation may be jealousy. Be careful around jealous people. They’ll take everything away from you.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you’re confused about how to handle a particular situation, ask for clarification. I’ve been in cases where my boss would say,’ I’m going to have to let you go.’ But after asking her a few times, she’d explain herself. She was trying to protect me. So if you think you might be getting fired, ask first! You never know.
Make sure you know what you’re worth.
Knowing what you’re worth is essential, primarily if you work for someone else. If you’re not making enough money, speak up. Ask for raises. Tell your boss you deserve more money. If you’re not happy with your job, look for another one. There’s no shame in leaving a bad job.
Stay positive
Don’t get down on yourself. Even if you’re having a hard time, stay positive. Think about the good things you can do instead of focusing on the negative ones. When you focus on the positives, you’ll eventually see them everywhere.
Listen carefully
Many times, bosses will talk loud. To hear what they’re saying, listen closely. If you don’t listen, you won’t learn anything. If you’re interested in learning more, ask for clarification.
Learn to manage your emotions
Sometimes, our emotions get the best of us when we’re stressed. We lose control over ourselves. That’s okay, though, because we’re human. Just remember to breathe deeply and relax. If you’re feeling angry, yell at yourself. It helps clear your head.
Keep your cool
When you’re dealing with a demanding boss, keep your cool. Never argue back. If you do, you could end up losing your job. Instead, smile and nod. Say thank you. Show appreciation. And if you still feel like arguing, walk away. No matter what happens, you’ll always be happier if you leave a situation before it worsens.