What do you do if you work in an environment where your boss undermines you?
Should you put up with things or take him or her to task?
If those choices are unappealing, a third approach will be explained in a moment.
This kind of negative behaviour is always destructive.
It not only affects the individual targeted, but it also feeds into the wider team.
Worst of all, it can create more tyrants or bullies from flunkies who copy their leader.
Undermining comes in many forms.
Some is deliberate, some not.
Some leaders aren’t aware of what they’re doing.
Sarcasm is the most common manifestation of this trait.
On the other hand, being left out of meetings or not receiving shared information may be deliberate acts.
Whatever the delivery method, I recommend you go on the offensive in a businesslike way.
The best way to do that is to prove your excellence in ways that confound your boss.
Here’s a simple example.
Always thoroughly understand the brief for any given task or project.
Gladly appear foolish in front of others when you ask your boss for the granular detail of what success looks like and how it will be judged or measured.
Get things crystal clear by saying something like;
“So, you want interviews with a minimum of ten clients using Zoom or Teams. The objective is to get their views on these three issues (name them). Then, the essential points are to be written up in a Findings Report which is to be circulated to (name the people) by this date. That’s the brief?”
Then go and over-deliver on the assignment.
Approach your work the way a highly competent professional would.
It’s the ‘Working For Yourself” mindset that will get you to a better place and keep you sane in the meantime.
It’s also the building block of assertiveness and change for anyone finding themselves in this position.
It may not seem like it, but it’s the first step in taking back full control of your role in the team.
Repeat the exercise as often as you need.
And for some further input on this subject, read “Under Pressure? Five Steps To Break The Cycle.”
Complete the form on the Homepage, and it will be with you soon after.