Is there anything worse than landing the perfect job, only to discover the person you report to is a pain in the ass boss? Yeah, there is, but it’s still a major let down. For many employees, the relationship they have with their boss is one of the key components in determining their overall job satisfaction. However, at one point or another, we are likely to wind up working for pain in the ass boss. Fortunately, there are several ways to handle this situation. Here’s how to deal with a pain in the ass boss!

Humanize Yourself 

Some bosses view their subordinates as little more than instruments required to get the job done. Their relationship with co-workers is similar to a craftsman (or craftswoman) and their hammer. But you are not a hammer, are you? You are a human being, and so is your boss. 

Find a way to remind your immediate superior that you’re a person. Chances are, you and your boss have a few things in common. Maybe you have children that are around the same age. Perhaps, the two of you like the same sports team. It’s possible that you are both big-time tropical fish enthusiasts. 

Ask around and find out a little bit about your supervisor. Next time you see them in the elevator, try and strike up a conversation about something that isn’t necessarily work-related. This could help remind your boss that you are indeed a real-live human being. 

At the end of the day, it’s much harder to be mean to a person than an inanimate object. 

Have A Heart-To-Heart

In some cases, the direct approach can be the way to go. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should storm into your boss’s office and tell them they’re a jerk (as tempting as it may be). 

Instead, be civil and let them know you aren’t happy with the nature of your professional relationship, but you have a real interest in making it work. Better yet, come up with ideas on ways you can improve the relationship. After all, it’s easy to point out a problem. But addressing it with a solution in mind can often make things easier. 

Ultimately, there isn’t a whole lot to lose here; your supervisor was already a jerk. 

Understand How You May Contributing To The Situation

As human beings, self-awareness can be difficult at times. 

Have you had ten different jobs, and all ten of your bosses turned out to be a pain in the ass? Are you consistently the only one in the office that seems to be having an issue with your manager? 

If the answer is yes to either of these questions, chances are, your boss isn’t the only problem. You are too. 

In this case, it’s time to look in the mirror and try to figure out a new approach. It might be a good idea to get an outside perspective. Consider speaking with a career coach or co-worker you trust and see if you can find a better way to co-exist with your boss. 

In truth, not everyone thrives in a team setting or works well with authority figures. Despite workforce pressure to be a “team player,” some of us do our best work alone. If you think you might be one of those people, try finding a remote position where minimal supervision is required or consider becoming an entrepreneur and work for yourself. 

Quit

The truth is, some relationships can’t be repaired. There are certain people in this world that we simply aren’t compatible with and never will be. If you’ve determined that this is the case, ask to be transferred to another department or, if possible, ask if you can join a new team with a different supervisor. 

Sadly, sometimes there aren’t any viable options. If that’s the case, then it may be time to make some hard choices. Of course, quitting isn’t ideal. After all, having to re-enter the job market can be downright stressful. That being said, there may be situations where parting ways with an employer is the best option when dealing with an unbearable boss. 

Unsure of how to quit? You may find this blog post helpful! 

At the end of the day, whatever choice you make, your happiness and well being are the most important factors. If the person you report to is making your work life unbearable, then you owe it to yourself to address the issue as soon as possible. The sooner you deal with your horrible boss, the sooner you can get back to enjoying your job and loving your work life again. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a little help!