Five Things To Do When You Work For A Jerkby Dave Lindbeck

Do you work for a jerk? Okay, I know it’s just a hypothetical question, because we all know that if someone is a manager they have all the skills in leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence necessary to be effective in their role. Right? NOT! <BR><BR>There may be great leaders and managers in the corner office where you work, but many people actually do work for a jerk or something worse. Unfortunately, those who do work for a jerk often wonder what to do about it. <BR><BR>When you’d rather not run the boss over with your car, put leadership seminar brochures on his or her desk, or call in sick Monday through Friday, consider these concepts: <BR><BR>1. Your manager has marching orders delivered by the jerk above him. That stuff really does roll down hill. Have empathy. <BR><BR>2. Your manager is human too. Fear, family problems, stress and performance issues are not only your concerns. Show compassion. <BR><BR>3. Ask yourself if you’d be a jerk if you were your boss. Is your performance or behavior creating problems? Do what you can to improve yourself first. <BR><BR>4. Your manager may be a fish out of water. Most people are promoted because they are good technicians or the best producers, not because they are good leaders. Practice tolerance and patience. <BR><BR>5. Your manager may lack the leadership, communication and emotional intelligence skills necessary to be effective. You can’t change that, but you can choose to do your job well. <BR><BR>You can change how you see things and how you react. However, in some work situations it may take more than that. In that case, a change in where you work may be in order. If so, put together a plan and move on. <BR><BR>Life is too short to work for a jerk. You have options. First, in how you see it and react, and secondly in what you are going to do about it.