Michael Page Logo

Main menu

  • Home
  • Jobs+

    Searching for a job?

    • Job search
    • Submit your CV
    • Career advice
    • Salary guide

    Looking to return to Malaysia?

    • https://www.michaelpage.com.my/
    • Malaysia Tanah Airku

    Job search advice

    • Changing jobs
    • Resume and cover letter
    • Salary and negotiation
    • Interview
    • Starting out

    Search for jobs

  • Recruiting+

    Looking to hire?

    • Recruitment services
    • Reasons to partner with Michael Page
    • Our sourcing methodology
    • Candidate verification
    • Management advice
    • Job Advertising: ReachTalent

    High Volume / Project Recruitment

    • Our approach
    • Our solutions
    • Our successes
    • Our team
    • Our testimonials

    Ready to Recruit

    • Contact us now
    • Contact us now

    Recruitment Expertise

    • https://www.michaelpage.com.my/
    • Banking and financial services
    • Construction
    • Digital
    • Engineering and Manufacturing
    • Finance and Accounting
    • Human Resources
    • Legal
    • Life Sciences
    • Marketing
    • Procurement and Supply Chain
    • Property
    • Sales
    • Technology
    • Executive Search
  • Advice+

    Career advice

    • Career advice
    • Career progression
    • Changing jobs
    • Interview
    • Productivity and performance
    • Resume and cover letter
    • Salary and negotiation
    • Starting out
    • Work-life balance

    Powering Asia's Future

    • https://www.michaelpage.com.my/
    • Stories from 9 inspirational leaders in Asia

    Management advice

    • Management advice
    • Engagement and retention
    • Hiring
    • Leadership Style
    • Staff development
    • Diversity and inclusion

    Market insights

    • Employment market updates
    • Industry reports
    • Shared Services Center - Employee Satisfaction Study

    ABC's of Technology

    • https://www.michaelpage.com.my/
    • Download Humans of AI report
    • Download Humans of Blockchain report

    Leading Women

    • Women in Leadership Interviews
    • Women in Leadership Interviews

    Most popular articles

    • Common interview questions
    • Five ways to boost employee engagement
    • 5 tips to secure the pay rise you deserve
    • Prioritising wellbeing and a positive mindset
    • Virtual job interviews tips
    • Onboarding in remote teams
    • 8 must have qualities of an effective leader
  • About+

    About us

    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Work for us
    • Awards
    • Reviews
    • Media Releases
    • About PageGroup
  • Join PageGroup+

    Join PageGroup

    • Join PageGroup
    • About PageGroup
    • Why choose us?
    • Your role here
    • Use your skills
    • FAQs
    • Apply now
  • Contact+

    Contact

    • https://www.michaelpage.com.my/
    • Find our office
    • Looking to hire?
    • Submit your CV
    • Feedback
Sign In
Saved jobs (0)
Saved jobs (0)
Sign In
Login or Sign up
Search for a job

You are here

Home>Advice>Career Advice>Productivity and performance>4 easy ways to manage your boss

4 easy ways to manage your boss

by Michael Page
-
23/08/2016
4 easy ways to manage your boss

People don't quit their jobs, they quit their managers. It's rarely the nature of the work that frustrates people, or the long hours, or even the low pay. More often than not, it's the candidate's manager that sends them running.

If you've ever had a bad manager, you'd probably have your own views on the subject, but the most common complaints include: poor communication; unrealistic demands; bad listening skills and lack of support. In the worst cases, a combination of all of these factors. The good news, however, is that it's normally within your power to improve the situation.

RELATED: 12 ways to spot a good manager in your interview

1. Find out the root of the problem

Most problems in the workplace stem from bad communication. Therefore, if you can improve the communication flow between you and your boss, you're on your way to a much happier time at work.

The fact of the matter is that most managers could be better communicators. But they are not always aware of it. They are under the impression that their expectations and goals would somehow 'trickle down' to their staff. This is seldom the case, and many employees are left without a clear idea of what they are working towards. If this is the case, try asking your manager for the information you should be receiving, but be diplomatic.

This need not be an unpleasant undertaking. Most managers will be flattered to think that you want to have a clearer idea of the company and where you fit into it.  It's often best to schedule a proper appointment and to state why you're there and what you want to achieve. If your productivity improves as a result of this communication, your boss may have learned a useful lesson.

RELATED: Making the most of your performance review

2. Schedule a meeting

Scheduling a meeting should probably be your first move, no matter what issue you're experiencing with your manager. This is particularly true if your boss is making unrealistic demands on you. If this is the case, it's probably because he or she is unaware of what you're doing. Explain the projects you have, together with a time estimate for each, and ask your manager to help you prioritise what you have to do.

You'd be surprised how many managers don't know what an employee's role requires, let alone their day-to-day work. This can be very damaging to morale. If you're feeling unsupported by your manager, bear in mind that he or she may not be aware of what your role entails. If this is the case, ask your manager to set you some goals. At the very least, this will be a good starting point for establishing his or her conceptions about your job role.

3. Establish what you want to say

Bad listening skills are often cited as an annoying trait of managers. It's not that they don't communicate, rather that the communication is one way. In this case, it is particularly important that you plan what you are going to talk about before going ahead with a meeting.

Try not to leave the meeting until you have established what you want to say. It may help to have notes visible to which you can refer, thereby affirming that you have considered the meeting and areas of discussion. Why not give your boss a copy in advance of the meeting so there are no surprises? It will be good sign if he/she has taken the trouble to read it!

4. And if all else fails…

So far we have talked about your manager changing. But what if, despite your best efforts, nothing happens? In this case, provided you really would prefer to stay where you are, you will have no choice but to change yourself.

David McClelland, one of the most influential twentieth century researchers and writers on motivation identified three major motivators in life: affiliation, power and achievement. Observe and mirror your manager's primary motivator (we all have all three in differing amounts) and you will get on his/her wavelength. So if your boss is motivated by achievement, people issues will be a low priority but targets will be paramount; if the major driver is affiliation, you need to think in people terms; in the case of power, be very, very careful!

But getting on your manager's wavelength is a big adaptation to make. Are you willing to learn different techniques and prioritise things that don't come naturally to you? Only you can make that evaluation.

It can sometimes be easier to get another job than another working style. If you've really lost all hope of improving your relationship with your manager, sticking with your job could damage your self-confidence. If you think you've reached the point of no return, we will be happy to talk to you about your options. 

RELATED: How to get ahead without a promotion

Summary: 

If you’re having difficulty dealing with a bad manager, keep these points in mind:

  • Scheduling a meeting should probably be your first move, no matter the issue you're experiencing with your manager
  • Prepare in advance for your meeting and know what you want to say
  • Observe and mirror your manager's primary motivator
  • If all else fails, consider alternative options
Previous article
7 reasons why employees lose motivation
7 reasons why employees lose motivation
by Michael Page
Read article
Next article
6 great ways to market yourself to future employers
6 ways to market yourself to future employers
by Michael Page
Read article

Join over 50,000 readers!

Get a free weekly update via email here and help kick start your career.

Advertise Your Role With Us

Advertise Your Role With ReachTalent

Sign up to receive job alerts

We will let you know when any new !keyword jobs are available. | We will let you know when any new !keyword jobs in !location are available. | Create an account to enable features like one click apply, and set up more than 5 job alerts

Topics

  • Career Advice
  • Management Advice
  • Market Insights

Popular Articles

  • Common interview questions
  • Five ways to boost employee engagement
  • 5 tips to secure the pay rise you deserve
  • Prioritising wellbeing and a positive mindset
  • Virtual job interviews tips
  • Onboarding in remote teams
  • 8 must have qualities of an effective leader

Tags

building relationships
happiness at work
Michael Page Logo
  • Read our BlogRead our Blog
  • Follow us on facebookFollow us on facebook
  • Follow us on LinkedInFollow us on LinkedIn
  • Watch us on YoutubeWatch us on Youtube

General

  • Our response to COVID-19
  • Email Disclaimer
  • Investor site
  • PageGroup corporate site
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Dasar Privasi
  • Dasar Cookie
  • Site terms
  • Site map
  • Country/Region

Jobs by function

  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Construction
  • Digital
  • Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Executive Search
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Human Resources
  • IT
  • Legal
  • Life Sciences
  • Marketing
  • Oil & Gas
  • Procurement & Supply Chain
  • Property
  • Retail
  • Sales

Contact

  • Feedback
  • Looking to hire?
  • Submit your CV
 

Our Offices

  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Investors Site

Accreditations

ISO27001 Accreditation

Agensi Pekerjaan Michael Page International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (formally known as Michael Page International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd) (Company No.914741-W) (PEA Licence No.JTK2426) is part of the PageGroup. Registered Office: Level 27 Integra Tower, The Intermark, 348 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 50400. © PageGroup plc