By David Wright

It is not uncommon to have to work for a difficult boss. A difficult boss is one that demands perfection, forces you to examine yourself and your work, and refuses to praise you for simply doing your job. There is only one way to deal with this type of boss, step up to the plate and go above and beyond, it’s hard work but you’ll be a better person for it.

You may have a boss that embodies all of these characteristics, but pushes the envelope just a little further. Your boss may demand perfection, but is also narcissistic, arrogant, and a braggart who talks instead of listens, is a bully, and displays the irrationality and tantrum throwing capabilities of the average 3 year old. Basically, your boss is a jerk.

How do you know if your Boss is Obnoxious or just Difficult?

Look around the office; do you see bored, unmotivated employees? Or are you the only the only one with the problem? Chances are, if you’re the only one that is bothered by your bosses behaviour, the problem lies with you. However, if the general level of employee satisfaction is so low you could sweep it off the ground, you’ve got an obnoxious boss on your hands.

How do you cope with an Obnoxious Boss?

“Employees stuck with a bad boss experience more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood, and mistrust”

Wayne Hochwarter, Associate Professor of Management, Florida State University

You’re going to have to address the situation. Set up a meeting to talk to your boss, and do it before you get too upset by his antics. You are going to need to address the situation calmly and rationally, the angrier you become, the less likely you will be able to handle the conflict with any semblance of intelligibility. Remaining calm is key. Also, telling your boss that he is obnoxious will be nothing but counterproductive. Focus the conversation on what you need, in terms of direction and guidance. Make sure that you remain polite and focussed throughout the conversation.

Once you’ve spoken with your boss, the situation may not change. For as long as you are with the company you may find some solace in a mentor. Find a more skilled colleague, or another manager that has full knowledge of your current boss. Go to that person for guidance and direction that your boss should be providing you.

Resist the urge to keep to yourself in the hope that your boss will leave you alone. If you spend your time hiding you will never get a chance to show off your skills or contributions. If no one sees these contributions you’re only hurting yourself. Don’t worry that staying visible will create even more hostility from your boss, if the boss really is obnoxious everyone else knows it too. His actions will not reflect negatively on you.

If all else fails and you’ve done absolutely everything in your power to improve your situation, you may consider going to your boss’s superior. If you choose this avenue you are going to want to tread very, very carefully. The backlash from this option could be irreparable, and you’re boss probably won’t forgive you. Do not go to your boss’s boss to complain, it won’t get you anywhere. Make sure you have documented evidence of your boss’s behaviour, and request a transfer to another part of the company.

Finally, if you’ve exhausted all of your options, and nothing has changed for the better, it may be time to quit. If you are truly miserable in your job, you won’t be happy until you find another one. Take some solace in the fact that you are not alone, the majority of employees that quit a desirable job report that they are not leaving the job, or the company, they are leaving their boss; some people are just impossible to work with.