Healthy relationships go a long way in the upkeep of your overall health. And no, it’s not just your romantic relationship that we’re talking about here. Every relationship matters – be it in your personal or your professional life. Sharing a healthy bond which is built on trust and clear communication with your boss is the foundation of a good work-life balance. But if you’ve ever felt like your boss is difficult to work with, it can be hard to know how to handle the situation. Holding resentment or ill-will towards your superior can be detrimental to your professional and emotional well-being. It is, therefore, essential to come up with constructive methods of dealing with negative feelings to maintain a healthier working relationship. Come, let us tell you how to deal with a difficult or toxic boss.

Ways to deal with a difficult boss

The first step towards handling this situation at work is to identify why you feel so frustrated or unhappy with your boss. Is it because the boss is too demanding? Does the boss micromanage? Once you know what’s bothering you, come up with ways to address the issue.

It is also essential to cultivate an attitude of respect even when your boss may be wrong or disagrees with you. You can help maintain healthy communication in the work environment by not arguing, and instead responding calmly. Think of constructive ways to improve the situation. Discuss how things could be done differently or suggest potential solutions that could benefit everyone involved. Showing initiative and taking ownership of a project is a great way to demonstrate that you’re willing to take on additional responsibility. There’s always a way to turn around a toxic workplace environment.

Tips to improve your relationship with your boss

Life coach and psychotherapist Dr Chandni Tugnait, founder and director – Gateway of Healing, shares a few ways to have a healthy relationship with your boss.

1. Keep communication open and honest

If there is a specific issue causing you to feel hostile towards your boss, try to have an open and honest conversation with them about it.

Also read: When your boss criticises you in front of others, do these 5 things

2. Focus on the positives

Identify any positive traits or actions your boss has displayed, and focus on those. It can be easy to get caught up in negative feelings. But concentrating on the positive can help to balance your perspective.

3. Process your emotions

Accepting and processing negative emotions can be tough. While it may be tempting to ignore or suppress these feelings, it is important to acknowledge them to move forward. Coping strategies such as deep breathing, journaling and exercising can reduce the intensity of these feelings while also helping you gain perspective on them.

4. Set healthy boundaries

If your boss is consistently crossing your boundaries or acting unacceptably, it may be necessary to set clear boundaries and stick to them. This can foster respect, prevent friction and create a more productive work environment. To establish boundaries, set your expectations clearly regarding workload, availability and communication.

5. Seek support

Talk to a trusted friend, family member or mental health professional who can help you process your feelings and develop a plan for handling the situation with a demanding and difficult boss.

6. If nothing works, consider finding a new job

If the situation with your boss is affecting your mental health and well-being, it may be time to start looking for a new job.

The last word

Remember that it’s essential to maintain a professional attitude at work, regardless of your personal feelings towards your boss.