It can be hard to deal with a manager who acts like Jekyll and Hyde. You never know if the friend or the bully will show up. Whatever you do, don’t take it personally; you may have just said something that triggered a larger issue for them, or maybe you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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Try to look beyond the yelling and listen to what your manager is saying, not how he or she is saying it. It’s also a good idea to look for triggers or patterns in his or her behaviour.
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Figuring out the cause of your boss’s mood swings - whether it’s low blood sugar, pressure from clients, or something emotional — will help you develop strategies for coping.
- Finally, make sure you stay calm. Responding angrily will only aggravate the situation. You don’t want to say something in the heat of the moment that you regret later.
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and adapted from How to Deal with a Boss Who Behaves Unpredictably by Carolyn O’Hara. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary webinar or contact us.
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