Here's how you can handle a difficult or challenging boss in your career.

Never underestimate the power of silence, especially during a call. Think carefully about what has been said before proffering a response, the original exchange may have been made in an emotional way but a response in like will often not achieve the desired outcome. Always remember that adversity is an opportunity to shine, if you handle what is likely to be the worst set of circumstances in a manner that resonates well with your manager, everything else is upside. Applying a calm approach to a difficult circumstance cultivates confidence, and shows you are capable of operating at a senior level.

Here's how to handle a challenging boss: 1. Stay Calm: Maintain composure to handle conflicts professionally. Reacting emotionally can worsen situations. Breathe, collect your thoughts, and respond wisely. 2. Understand Them: Empathize with your boss's pressures and challenges. 3. Set Boundaries: Clearly define your limits to protect your well-being and ensure a respectful working relationship. 4. Seek Support: Find allies within the workplace or consult a mentor for guidance and strategies to handle difficult situations. 5. Proactive Approach: Anticipate problems and offer solutions before they escalate. 6. Resilience Building: Adapt and thrive under challenging circumstances, which is essential for long-term career success.

By understanding your difficult boss, you can improve communication, minimize misunderstandings, and build a more productive working relationship. Below are some tips- Observe their behavior: Understanding their patterns can provide insights into their motivations and preferences Listen actively: This can help you align your work more effectively with their goals Ask clarifying questions: This demonstrates your commitment to meeting their expectations Seek feedback: Use this feedback to improve and adjust your approach accordingly Manage conflicts diplomatically: Seek resolution through open communication and compromise when necessary Understand their pressures: Showing empathy and support can strengthen your working relationship

One common strand to many situations in life is to understand / establish what the goal is, what are the resources and what are the constraints / other considerations. Then apply some measures. Alignment of all team members to the overarching corporate objective is the holy grail, good management will see that disseminate down in a clear, deliverable and inspiring manner. As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work, disarm a difficult boss by choosing NOT to replicate their undesirable traits and perpetuate them down the line, but show how investing in understanding the problem, and galvanising the wider team through a "can do" positive approach of working together gets better results.

If either you or your boss fail to set expectations and boundaries you will both suffer. If you have an unpleasant boss, he or she probably learned that being unpleasant was useful to their success. So the best thing you can do is assure them that they don't need to be strict with you in order for you to perform. Let them know that if they micromanage you or call you outside of socially defined acceptable times it will cause an issue. Next you will have to keep up your end of the bargain. If you fail to meet expectations then be ready for unpleasantries.

Some of the most successful icons of Corporate Real Estate have had a well earned reputation for being "difficult". Choose to focus on the positive traits of your manager, most have reached their level by having strong skills you can learn from, notwithstanding the manner might leave a lot to be desired. Grasp the positive elements and seek to add your own approach to areas you feel could be improved. Always remember employment is a symbiotic relationship. Most are fortunate to enjoy long careers, always seek to positively influence your career progression and enjoyment of current role, but accept that sometimes things do not work out how you envisaged and change can be good.

Handling a difficult boss requires a balanced approach of professionalism and self-care. Stay composed and objective in interactions, focusing on understanding their perspective and maintaining clear, respectful communication. Documenting conversations and tasks can prevent misunderstandings, while seeking regular feedback demonstrates your commitment to improvement. Set boundaries for your well-being with #WorkLifeBalance, and seek support from HR or a mentor for #CareerAdvice. Throughout, prioritize professionalism and consider your long-term options if the situation persists.