Take This Job And (Part Deux)
Take This Job And (Part Deux)
Take This Job And (Part Deux)
Last week, we began looking at ways to survive a bad boss. The response to the post was amazing. It appears there are many of us who can relate. So here are 5 more tools for your tool box:
1. A Rock and a Hard Place
While you might take your share of punishment from your supervisor, rest assured, he/she feels the pressure from both directions. It’s no picnic for them either. Ideally managers would be able to spend their time developing leadership skills and providing a vision, but in reality, they are stuck in operations, trying to please their employees and the manager they report to. Is it an excuse for poor behavior? Of course not, but they are often stuck between a rock and a hard place. Front line supervisors and mid-level managers have some of the toughest jobs around.
2. Get It Right
I know I talk about this one all the time, but it is THAT IMPORTANT. Most of us are so focused on being right and having things be “fair” that we lose sight of the goal. Rather than getting frustrated that you are the one that has to modify your style or approach, remember the goal is to get it right, not be right. When ever I’m in a tough conversation, I ask myself, “What’s the goal? And is what I’m doing going to get me closer to reaching it?”
3. Talk to Your Boss
Half the time, we don’t even realize that what we’re doing is bothering someone else. It is called unconscious incompetence. It means we don’t know what we don’t know. Rather than building frustration and resentment, talk to your supervisor. In a non-whining, assertive manner, share your concerns. Most people fear having the conversation. I’d rather have one uncomfortable conversation than be miserable every day. If you choose to have the conversation, make sure you are solution oriented and positive.
4. Modify Your Style
Regardless of who you are speaking with, modifying your communication style is the number one way to increase receptivity and decrease defensiveness. Is your boss fast paced and impatient? If so, standing in their door and telling them all about your weekend and your dog fluffy probably isn’t the best idea. Get to the point and move on. However, if they are big on relationship building, and you are always strictly about business, try to socialize a bit more.
5. Help Your Supervisor Leverage Your Strengths
I had a participant in a training session a few months ago who said he would much rather be doing my job. I asked if he had ever talked with his supervisor about volunteering to do some training in the department, and he looked at me like I had two heads. After simply talking with his supervisor, he began training new employees, then started training more throughout the department, and eventually became a trainer for the organization. Don’t be afraid to know what you like, know what you’re good at, and share your desire to do that!
Bottom line…if you don’t like your supervisor, you have a few options:
1. Stay where you are and be miserable
2. Stay where you are and find ways to modify your behavior, your approach, or the situation
3. Leave
Whether or not you are part of the problem, it’s up to you to be part of the solution.
What other strategies have you tried to survive a bad boss? Leave a comment!
Protect your peace.✌️
Do you remember the Speak & Spell? 🗣
I knew I was a nerd early on because this was one of my favorite toys. I can still remember sitting on the stairs at my grandmother’s house for hours, guessing letters and deciphering secret codes. I thought technology was cool, but never in my wildest dreams did I think someday there would be a tool that could have written this post in way less time than it took me.
AI might not seem like the obvious choice for building resilience, but it can be an incredible tool for building skills that support your mental health and well-being.
Here`s How:
Mindset Shifts: AI-powered apps can help you reframe your thoughts, providing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques that challenge negative thinking patterns in real time.
Building Skills: Whether it’s developing mindfulness through guided meditation, breath work, or setting reminders to practice gratitude, AI can be a daily coach to help you monitor and shift your mood and provide instant support.
Resetting: Sometimes, all you need is a moment to breathe and reset. AI-driven tools like Calm or Headspace offer quick, on-demand breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that can help reset your nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and help you regain focus.
Building Social Connections: Social support is a key ingredient of resilience, and AI can help you foster these connections. By connecting with groups or communities with similar interests or challenges, AI can help you find support and connection.
Self-Reflection and Journaling: AI-powered journaling apps analyze your entries to identify patterns in your thoughts and emotions. This self-awareness is crucial for building resilience, allowing you to anticipate challenges and respond more effectively.
What are your favorite well-being apps? Tag them in the comments! 👇👇
Grow your attention muscle with mindfulness. 🙏
Studies show people who meditate in their 40s and 50s have the same grey matter density as people in their 20s and 30s. Grey matter density controls attention, focus, emotional regulation, and more.
Meditation is simple but difficult. Pick something to focus on (usually your breath, but it could be anything). When you get distracted, come back to whatever you’re focused on. The goal of meditation and mindfulness is to bring yourself back to the present moment. #mindfulmonday
If you haven’t heard me speak and would like to, or if you could use a little resilience boost, I hope you’ll join me LIVE next Thursday, November 21st, from 12:00-1:00 PM CST.
A huge gratitude shoutout to @culturatisummit for hosting! Register here! ⬇️
https://t.e2ma.net/click/z2p8gi/ndywtdvb/boenx2
Having friendships and a sense of belonging is considered a core psychological need and has a big impact on our physical and mental health.
In fact, it has been proven that social connection is one of the best predictors of longevity, which is why I`ve dedicated an entire module in the Resilience Reset Deep Dive to the importance of social connection to build resilience. Learn more 👉👉👉 https://www.annegradygroup.com/deepdive/
Here`s what my girls Wendy and Daisy have taught me about the importance of connection 🎥
You can’t be a source of strength for others when you are depleted. I recently heard someone say, “Self-care isn’t a bubble bath. It’s a boundary”. I love that. You don’t have to go to a spa (but if you do, please take me). Learn to say no. 🗣
Read Up on Resilience!
Anne’s Books Available on Amazon.com!
Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 3 books. Her newest, Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, is available on Amazon now.
Regarding: “In a non-whining, assertive manner, share your concerns. Most people fear having the conversation. I’d rather have one uncomfortable conversation than be miserable every day. If you choose to have the conversation, make sure you are solution oriented and positive.”
It works, but have a written/typed outline of what you are going to say. You don’t want to forget what you are going to say, or miss your point, because of the nervousness… cause you’ll be nervous. Cite very recent examples if possible.
Great advice! Definitely a good point. Writing a bulleted list or outline not only helps you keep focused, it also helps you go through the mental exercise of having the conversation. You’re also right on target about citing recent examples. Thanks for your comment 🙂
These last three weeks of “Weekly Motivation” have been so appropriate and timely for me it’s a bit scary. Did you know you were psychic, Anne? Every point made offers tools of empowerment and growth. The foundational shift I have experienced by being mindful of and adjusting my expectations continues to be life-changing. My new mantra is, “Be mindful of your expectations!” Thanks a bunch, Anne! It is my wish the inspiration you give returns to you one-hundred fold.
Wow, Loyd. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that today. I am so glad these tools are working. Can I hire you to be my spokesperson? 🙂
You bet, Anne! I am so glad I could send some positive energy your way. Please feel free to use my posts as testimonials if you so desire. I am truly blessed by you.