Having a happy working environment is one of the most important things that one could ever ask for. You spend most of your time at work. Millions of people worldwide, unfortunately do not like their work place and many if not most of them will tell you that it is because of a boss or senior that they have that they feel they simply cannot get along with.
A Little Bit Of Understanding
It is important to know that while you may know somewhat of what your bosses’ job is, you do not know all of it. If you did, the tables may have been turned. Bosses can behave like horrible people but just because they behave that way, doesn’t mean that they are. Very often their pressure to perform at their job as well making sure that their team performs can be a bit much. Everyone deals with stress in different ways.
I am not saying that it is okay to be a horrible boss to an employee. Bad behaviour should not be condoned, especially not from management. But sometimes understanding where the behaviour comes from and showing a little bit of empathy can change the entire situation. It doesn’t make you a suck-up. It makes you an understanding adult that realises the pressures that your boss might have. Just this behavioural change from you is often enough to change their behaviour completely.
A Cog In The Wheel
The next step is not an easy one and no one wants to hear it, but studies have shown that this is very valid and even the simple acknowledgement of this step, can make a huge impact. You need to consider the part that you might be playing in the boss’s foul mood. Maybe you are reacting to their bad mood, but the boss sees your reaction as the action and his action then as the reaction.
Realizing that you might have a part to play in the terrible boss/employee game gives you perspective. This perspective allows you to change the situation by attempting to better oil your cog in the wheel. Once your horrible boss sees the effort that you are putting in to making the work situation a better place, they and other employees are sure to follow. It does however take a big person to make that first heavy-footed move.
Acknowledgement Is Human
One of the reasons that you are unhappy is probably due to lack of acknowledgement of all the wonderful work that you are doing to earn real money. We all want acknowledgement. It is a human condition to want to know that we are being appreciated and noticed for the good that we are doing. Even your boss. You might find that they themselves are not being acknowledged for the work that they are doing.
Your acknowledgement of your boss could very well set a trend where co-workers acknowledge and appreciate each other. Imagine the ripple effect it could cause if you acknowledge your boss, they in turn then acknowledge their boss. How wonderful work would be.