How to Deal With a Workaholic Boss Who Demands Too Much
So your boss is a workaholic and expects you to emulate her? Whether it means ludicrous work, lunch at your desk (or skipping it altogether), or even sacrificing a weekend, speaking to such a person can be exhausting for both your career and your family life.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
The negative influence of problem managers is ubiquitous. Research has consistently linked a lack of managerial support for work-life balance with lower profit margins and more mistakes at work. What’s more, a bad boss can literally make you feel sick: One study found that 77% of employees experienced physical symptoms as a result of bad relationships with their boss .
The added pressure can not only prompt you to give up the ship at your current job, but it can also follow you home, leaving you on your toes long after you leave the office. Bottom line: The stress of working for someone with a distorted sense of work-life balance is simply unacceptable.
If you find yourself answering a workaholic , you may be on the verge of burnout . And if you don’t face an accident, you’ll probably feel anxious that if you don’t live up to your boss’s incredible standards, you will be shown the door.
It’s important to act even if you’re scared or afraid of her reaction. Yes, it can be difficult to set boundaries, let alone demand more work-life balance . But if you live in fear of criticizing your boss, or just feel like you’re doing poor work because you’re too tired and your brain is burned out, it’s time to change something.
Here are four things you can and shouldn’t do to fix your addictions – it’s the only way to start living a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
1. Not include
As distant and aloof as he may seem in the office, remember that your boss is also human. His addiction to workaholism may be the result of learned behavior. Pressure – and praise – from his boss can prevent him from initially understanding your desire for greater balance.
And if your goal is to make him understand that you value your life outside the office, you should under no circumstances allow his “workaholism”. Do not praise if the result is clearly caused by overwork. If you know your boss hasn’t slept all night creating a presentation, complimenting his victim can be counterproductive. This confirms that this behavior is not only acceptable, but also suggests that you are impressed with it and might want to follow suit.
2. Communicate clearly
Reaching out to a workaholic supervisor can be intimidating, and you certainly don’t want to look offensive or offensive. Knowing that your boss’s actions are not designed to make you stand out or make your life miserable can be challenging for you. Strive for open and productive communication and don’t feel like your boss is trying to get you.
For example, it might seem like your boss doesn’t care when you skip your child’s birthday party to complete a project, or that you often drag out all night to keep up with demands. Most likely, she just didn’t notice. Workaholics tend to be overly focused, which can lead others to view them as indifferent or dismissive. The sooner you realize that you are not being stalked, the better.
The last thing you need to do is engage in passive-aggressive behavior that will only harm your work relationships and career. So, for example, if your boss asks you to work late, you have important plans, do not shoot “however you please” and keep your head down; instead, remind her that you have a commitment that is uncomfortable to break.
3. Don’t panic
Don’t get hung up on missed milestones or advertise on a daily basis if you are behind the project deadline. While this may be true, expressing the feeling of being overwhelmed or telling your manager that work is progressing faster than it can be completed only triggers feelings of panic, which can lead to further hours of work.
It’s important that you change your perspective on productivity . While it may be tempting to measure your daily success by the number of hours you work, what matters most is the quality of the work you do. Being good at your job does not mean working harder; it means getting results. At the beginning of each day, make a list of what you want to accomplish, including the start-up projects that require hard work, and at the end of the day (not midnight) evaluate your list and figure out what priorities to get done the next day. …
4. Destroy old models
If you are learning job skills from your workaholic boss, you are concerned that you are subject to the same bad habits that he does. How can you avoid this?
One strategy is to strategically interrupt your office routine, highlighting the need for systems improvement and optimization. Having a clear and direct conversation will help prevent defensiveness on either side. Use open-ended questions such as “How can we develop a more effective way to achieve this result?” or “What will help improve work-life balance among our employees?” Thoughtful questions like these encourage your boss to think creatively rather than relying on the habitual answers of workaholics.
But clarifying the problem is not enough. You must come up with realistic solutions that are best achieved when talking about improving department productivity and efficiency that can meet the needs of everyone involved. For overnight emails, for example, you can suggest a time after which you can reply the next morning. This allows your boss to prioritize, ensuring that any important information is sent during business hours.
If, after repeatedly discussing the boundaries between work and personal life with your supervisor and not changing expectations, it might be time to start looking for a soul – or looking for a job, for that matter. Your happiness is very important, and if unrealistic expectations and growing workload are not what you want for your career, then find another that better suits your needs. As difficult as it may be to stay in a tense role, don’t let it jeopardize your integrity. Make an effort to get the most out of the situation and prepare to move on to bigger and better things.
What if your boss is a workaholic and expects you to be one too? Muse