Dealing with a demanding boss is a challenge that most of us have had to deal with at least once in our lives. A Boss can be a source of stress and anxiety. Being critical and micromanaging could for sure feel like dealing with a nagging mother-in-law who is constantly present, highly critical, and almost difficult to please.
All this could affect your professional as well as personal life. Prolonged periods of workplace stress can also have a lasting impact on a person’s overall well-being. For this reason, it becomes essential to identify these stressors and take steps to deal with them effectively. It is also important to identify and differentiate whether the stress you experience is occasional or whether it consistently knocks at your door.
In this blog, we will try to understand the nuances of the stress one experiences because of demanding bosses. If you feel you are stuck in a space where your boss is unrealistically demanding, then it is important for you to be aware of tips to effectively navigate such situations. In this comprehensive guide, we will uncover the tips you can adopt to effectively deal with your demanding boss.
THE BOSS STRESS
The pilot of this project, ‘How to deal with your boss if he is giving you stress and anxiety,’ is taking a step in the direction of identifying the specific stressors that are posing problems. These could potentially be:-
1) High Expectation
When we try to consider it closely, there are two specific reasons identified:
- You are taking too much pressure or trying to exceed your boss’s expectations.
- Your boss has set unrealistic expectations or is not providing you with a clear vision about what they really want. That is, they are constantly changing so that you can understand their vision.
2) Micromanagement
If your boss is someone who is excessively monitoring every move and trying to control every decision, yes, it is red flag behaviour. He is adding to the stress and not only irritating but a huge source of decreased job satisfaction.
3) Lack of Support
If you are feeling unsupportive and undervalued by your boss, you are bound to feel stressed and down and will experience the looming feeling of “What am I really doing here?” This could even make you feel worthless.
4) Workload
One of the stressors is the workload in your professional space. If the task or responsibilities assigned are overwhelming and how much you try to swim through the pool of these projects, you are simply drowning.
This excessive work assigned by your boss can lead to burnout and make you question, ‘Is my boss giving me stress?’.
You can learn more about burnout and how you can manage it by reading our blog ‘Burnout at the Workplace: How to Deal With it?’
5) Favoritism
Be it real favoritism or perceived favoritism, if you feel your boss is involved in the activity of favoritism, you will want to make amendments and constantly try to be in his ‘good books’, which can lead to stress and anxiety. This can make you feel drained and add to mental exhaustion.
6) Job Insecurity
If you have a looming fear that your boss is going to fire you or you are going to be reprimanded, you are bound to feel tensed and ruminate over the thought. This adds to workplace stress and anxiety given by your boss.
A conflict with your boss, lack of freedom to make decisions, or unrealistic deadlines are other reasons why you can feel ‘Is your boss giving you stress?’
Now that we have identified the stressors, the next step in the project is ‘How to deal with your boss if he is giving you stress and anxiety.’ It is helpful for you to know how to deal with them.
Dealing with the stressor your boss has added can be difficult because it requires you to introspect and possibly weigh the pros and cons of your actions. It also requires you to be assertive and not be disrespectful. Now that we have identified the hurdles let us move on the the next step.
You can also read our blog on ‘6 reasons employees must speak up to thrive at work.’
HOW TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH YOUR BOSS WHO IS GIVING YOU STRESS
First, I recommend that you keep in mind that while he or she may be your employer, you work for yourself. You know when you're doing a good job and when you're not. You know the reasons you work and what your salary provides for.
Second, see if there aren't things you do that foster the tension. In any dynamic between two people, each contributes to what goes on. Adjusting your side of the relationship, if you can pinpoint what you do that seems to trigger a response from your boss, may help ease things.
Third, and perhaps most challenging, show compassion. Your boss is human, and all humans are fallible. We all have stressors in our lives about which others don't know. Their unhappiness may have nothing to do with you, but you experience the referred aggression and frustration.
Fourth, consider initiating an open dialogue. Express to your boss how their actions affect you and inquire about potential improvements. Is it worth suffering in silence when a conversation could lead to a better working relationship?
Finally, it's important to consider an exit strategy if necessary. Some people are simply toxic, and nothing you do will change them; at this point, if the situation is intolerable and especially if you have many years of work ahead of you, changing jobs may be the best option. On the other hand, if you're near retirement, perhaps coasting as best you can until you retire makes sense, especially if there is a pension, etc., in the mix.
Dealing with the stress and anxiety your boss has added to your life can be challenging but manageable if approached in a thoughtful manner. Developing effective strategies will not only help you deal with the current stressors but also help you build resilience and equip you with effective coping strategies. Your focus should be on approaching every situation with professionalism and directing your focus toward constructive solutions to ensure that you handle these stressors respectfully, effectively, and positively.
Remember, the goal of anything in life is to strike a balance. Workplace stress will only lead to burnout and lower productivity. If you’re in a job that requires you to be available, try to choose one or two days a week where you can unplug. Starting slow and making small changes can still have big effects on a personal and emotional level. Learn to separate your identity and who you are from what you do.
Solh can be an effective tool for helping strike the perfect work-life balance.
Here's how Solh's features can serve as preventive support.
Normalises Seeking Help: Solh combats the stigma connected with mental health by establishing a judgment-free zone. This can encourage someone battling with addiction to seek expert help.
Anonymous Support Groups: Connecting with those who understand your problem can be quite useful. Sharing experiences and realizing they are not alone can provide a great source of comfort and encouragement.
Talk Now: When dealing with overwhelming emotions, have access to a counselor who can help you guide you through any hiccup you face.
Clinical Support: The app's simple access to confidential consultations can be an excellent initial step for someone struggling with addiction who is hesitant to pursue traditional in-person therapy.
Other: Solh is a one-stop place for you to access and navigate different sources like audios, guides, and reading material to help you deal with any ongoing stressor.
Solh also offers Employee Wellness Program, which can be very beneficial and fruitful
to know more: https://www.solhapp.com/blog/employee-wellness-program-invest-in-mental-health-of-your-workforce
Download the Solh app now!
