Handling difficult Manager

[astra]

Hi,

Not sure if this is in the right area as it seems to fit a couple, but here goes.
Recently our company has had a bit of an upheaval and my old Manager left very suddenly. Now, we've got a new manager in for a few months until we find someone else. Until I met the new manager, I thought the term "Seagull Management" was a bit of an overexaggerated joke, but now I'm faced with someone who's picture could practically be in the dictionary next to the term.

This person seems to be overinflated with their own sense of importance, and has the 'my way or the highway attitude', with no regard, to work already completed or in progress. After only two weeks with our company, our whole department is doing our best to avoid the manager wherever possible (including other managers). During our encounters, I always try to stay calm, focused, listen carefully and breathe, however afterwards I feel so angry or frustrated it's physically making me ill. I've never before encountered a person who has so little regard for the people they work with and the way things were done before they showed up. Whilst some new ideas have been bought to the table, no concern is shown for our previous environment/culture. It's really hard to get across exactly how this person is without examples, but I really don't want to go on forever.

My questions are:
1) What are some (constructive) ways I can handle this situation?
2) Without coming right out and saying "Hey, you're a {insert swear word of choice here}", is there something I can do to improve this person's behaviour towards the rest of us who have to deal with it?

I'm on a contract which is due soon and it's the manager's decision to renew or not, so I need to be able to rise above/look past this and keep my job! I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks in Advance!

[TheTrev]

Hi, I'm new here, this is my first post and i hope it helps. Heres what i would suggest, Go up to your boss and tell him, "sir, thank you for your cooperation to manage this company. I'd like you to know i'm going to be your best worker." Obviously he won't respond in a good manner, but even if he is being a b**ch work as hard as you possibly can, do your best and eventually God will bless you for your efforts, and if you don't believe in God, well, your in trouble.

[prats]

Hi Astra,

I personally had faced such a manager, but he is bit different than you described in ways that, he is poor in communication and had some ego issues,I was with very lil experience in the job market when I was working under him, and at one point I just hoplessly pointed finger at him in a meeting and was fired by him (the first chance he got, he fired me)

Lesson learnt, never point fingers or ridicule a manager(even in the most subtle way)because they can just sniff the attitude..

My advice to you is, do your work and be constructive.Focus on things to be done rather than the short comings. This will require a behaviour change from your side(If you cant respect such people, you still have to unless you have a plan B of not continuing on the contract)..

Good Luck!

[Kaspian]

I've played in a few orchestras where the conductor lacked skill and blamed the orchestra when their playing revealed his shortcomings, usually with yelling and insults. I used to get quite irritated at the situation, lately I've been able to shrug it off.

If he tells me to do or change something, I smile and nod. If he starts yelling at the cellos, second trombone, my section, or whoever, I think an amused, "There he goes again." Somehow, I've managed to figure out how to not take it personally. No matter how much he yells, blames, or conducts horribly, I am still a good horn player. If his bad conducting screws me up, whether he yells and blames or not, it's his fault, not my lack of skill.

[sunder]

Somebody posted this link in another thread. Maybe it will help you too.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Astra, my advice is a very short one.

1. stay calm do do your job in the best way you can
2. go find another job

And: No, this is not a list of alternatives, but a step-by-step guide ;-) At least that's what I did when I was in a similar situation (I had a boss who tried to assimilate all his staff and thought we only lived to serve him - at least more or less...)

I now have a job that is not paid as well as my old one, but I have a life again.

[Kaybee]

Astra,

I'm providing this advice from the other perspective. I am a manager and I must tell you - DO NOT confront the boss or come across negatively. Unfortunately from your description, you're current boss doesn't seem to have good leadership or people skills, which is a big problem - especially for you and your co-workers.

Although, I'm a manager, I've worked for some pretty bad bosses in my day. I always observe the boss and try to find strengths (or something I like about him/her). I take this approach for my own sake. If I can find something positive to relate to my boss, then I also have a positive starting point when I have to deal with something I don't like.

If I were in your shoes, I'd try to learn the boss's expectations. Also try building a working relationship with the boss. If you can show your boss how you are a positive asset to helping him/her achieve his/her goals, then that's a huge step in the right direction.

Kim

personal growth and inspiration

[astra]

Originally Posted by Tobias Zimpel

1. stay calm do do your job in the best way you can
2. go find another job

Already under way

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's really helping and has given me some things to think about. The manager's only on a short contract himself, as he's filling a sudden vacancy, so hopefully I can stick it out until he's gone.

Mostly I'm just trying to get on with what I have to do, and keep as much distance as possible. I'm trying to dream up ways to bury him in paperwork for the next month *L*

If anyone else has any helpful ideas, please throw them at me! You can never have too much help in these situations!

Thanks again for everybody's wonderful advice.