It is the reality that, throughout your entire career, you will not have the absolute most positive relationship with every boss that you encounter. So, what do you do if you have the unavoidable feeling that your boss doesn’t like you or the work you’re doing? How do you improve the relationship? How do you confront the situation? Find out all you need to know HERE…

Improving Your Management Relationship…

Things to look out for: Is your boss micro-managing your every move? Are you being provided criticism at each step of a project? Do you feel like your creative freedom hasn’t increased in a long time? Do you feel as though you receive the same treatment as the rest of your team? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it may be time to confront the relationship head-on.

Consistent Feedback: As you complete your daily tasks and fulfill your roles, we encourage you to ask yourself how frequently you are receiving feedback. Obtaining consistent feedback throughout project timelines will allow you to avoid instances in which you are requested to start over and will help you reduce a great deal of stress.
Meaningful Conversations and Information: Although your boss may be strained between supervising several projects, they are still there to act as your valuable resource and guide. For that reason, as an employee, you deserve meaningful feedback, directions, and periodic meetings to evaluate your performance. If you feel as though your boss does not communicate in a meaningful manner, you may want to check up with a higher supervisor.
Accepting Failure: At some point in your professional career, we can nearly guarantee that you will be faced with failure. Whether this is concerned with not meeting goals or deadlines, or creating a project that is not on par with original ideas, it is an inevitable component of any person’s career. However, having trust in your boss to provide constructive criticism instead of consequences will lead you to become more creative and trusting in your own capabilities.
Appreciation and Praise: Again, your entire team puts a great deal of work and effort into each day in the office. For that reason, you all deserve appreciation for your hard work as well as praise for positive improvements and achievements. Make sure to thank your boss for feedback and individual time you are provided and praise their accomplishments when appropriate. Although criticism may feel negative, it’s embedded in work culture to help you!
Demonstrate Proactive Problem-Solving Skills: As the ultimate guide of the team, your boss should be capable of offering different problem-solving skills, in addition to being able to understand varying environments and structural problems. If you feel as though your communication approaches are not aligned, this may be time to take a problem-solving approach and see what other routes you can take to improve conversations. Do you prefer to chat once a day? A week? Are you a visual learner? Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is the first step to nailing relationships.

Approaching a boss about a negative relationship is obviously uncomfortable. However, tackling the discomfort and reaching a point of understanding will pave the way for positivity and productivity for years to come. So, take our advice above, and you’ll be able to enter into the confrontation in no time.

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