Expert Author Susan Leigh
Many companies are now having to work extra hard to survive. Overheads are being regularly pruned, staffing levels are being reduced, pay increases put on hold and every expense has to be justified. The boss or manager is regularly the first in line to answer to the company management above, as well as placate and motivate more junior staff below.
Many staff are suffering with the additional stresses of having to deal with work requirements outside of their job description. The boss is no exception. Workplace stress is a major factor in work performance, sick leave and absence, and finding effective ways to improve communications and understanding can help to reduce these stress levels. Let us look at some ways to help improve the relationship with the boss.
- Understand that ones' boss does have a lot of responsibility, often outside their actual work remit. Many bosses have to travel miles to meetings, attend functions out of hours, be available at short notice. That may sound glamorous or fun but it can impact heavily on a persons' personal life. That situation brings with it much stress. Many managers report feeling unappreciated by both company management and more junior staff. They often feel like a punching bag between two angry factions. Whilst that does not justify bad manners or behaving in an ignorant or rude fashion, certainly some empathy would no doubt go a long way towards seeing things from their perspective.
- Be flexible and willing to help. Do not be too pedantic about what you will and will not do. Appreciate that taking on new duties is an opportunity to learn more and have the chance to improve your skill sets. Also it helps improve the atmosphere at work, as everyone starts to pull together, in the same direction.
- Appreciate that time is money. Most of what your boss has to do concerns budgets, profitability and the bottom line figures. Managers spend a lot of their time justifying staffing levels, overheads and work performance. They have to be seen to be performing well, and that includes you as a part of the team.
- Be firm. Respect yourself and do not be a pushover. You are entitled to respect and appreciation for what you do. Expect to receive training for jobs that you are willing to undertake but are new to you. If something is too difficult or risks your business reputation or safety then you are entitled to refuse. Keep a diary of any instances if this occurs.
- Understand that your boss has a personal life and that may well have its own pressures and concerns. There may be health, financial, emotional concerns in their life that you know nothing about. Consider, if they are stressed there may well be a bigger picture that you are unaware of.
Your boss is simply a human being in a more senior role than yours. By remembering this, empathizing with their situation and being willing to do what you can to help, you oil the wheels of the relationship and enable it to become a more pleasant part of your working life. This is a positive way to reduce workplace stress.