How to deal with a bad boss

Alexander Kjerulf, author of Happy Hour is 9 to 5, has once again written up an excellent article about finding happiness in the workplace. This time Alexander addresses how to handle a bad boss. The article is packed with solid recommendations and well worth the read. The following are my favorites:

Assume no bad intentions.
While some of the things your boss does may make you unhappy at work, it is probably not why they do it. Until proven otherwise, assume that they mean well and are simply unaware of the effects of their actions.

Do it sooner rather than later.
If you have a bad relationship with your boss it’s vitally important that you do something about it as soon as possible. It can be tempting to wait, thinking that it might get better on its own, or that your boss might be promoted, transferred or leave. Don’t wait - sooner is better.

Praise your manager when he gets it right.
When your boss gets it right, remember to praise them. Many managers never receive praise because people mistakenly believe that praise should only flow from managers to employees. You may be nervous about approaching your manager and giving them advice, but good managers are truly grateful for constructive, useful feedback, and will appreciate any opportunity they get to learn how to do a better job.

How to deal with a bad boss - [The Chief Happiness Officer]