英語(yǔ)沙龍十年合集珍藏版第三輯How to handle a difficult boss
How to handle a difficult boss
A difficult or abusive1) boss can poison2) the best of jobs．But you are not powerless；before you even consider quitting，try the boss－taming strategies below．
CHANGE YOUR OWN WAYS Few people are randomly violent．They blow up on particular occasions over particular issues．Track your boss's peeves3) and patterns，then eliminate the triggers within your control．For example，if he snarls when you arrive just five minutes late to work or make one type on a memo，avoid these slipups4) no matter how trivial they seem．If one of your coworkers manages your boss's moods skillfully，ask him what you could be doing more effectively，then borrow a few of his moves．
STAY COOL UNDER FIRE Respond to the content of your boss's tirade，not the curses．Whatever you do，don't cower，stammer or apologize．Some people get off on brutalizing5) others，and passivity makes you a target．Respond confidently：Say“I'd like to put together a report that will satisfy you．Let's discuss how I can make that happen．”
USE CONSTRUCTIVE CONFRONTATION Your boss may be more willing to change his behavior than you think．Some managers don't realize how much their words or actions upset staffers．Tell him how his out－bursts make you feel．Say，for example，“When you call me names and criticize my work in meetings I feel demoralized6)．Please address me respectfully and take me aside to discuss criticisms in private．”If he values your work，he may rein in his abusiveness．
APPEAL TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY If your boss becomes intolerably abusive，you may have to go above his head to your personnel department or senior manager．But before you take this course，discreetly7) ask coworkers if they've clashed with your boss in the past．Ideally，they will back you up and permit you to mention their names when you make your charges．That way，you can bring a pattern of behavior to management's attention．Begin by asking，“Can I have a discussion with you off the record？”Then cite examples that show how your boss's treatment negatively affects your performance．Make it clear that you want to improve the situation，not punish your boss．If discipline is what he needs，let the higher－ups make that call．
□by Laurel Touby
如何與難對(duì)付的老板相處
一個(gè)難纏或喜歡濫用權(quán)力的老板可能會(huì)將好端端的工作搞砸。但你并不是完全無(wú)能為力的；在你考慮不干之前，不妨試一試下面幾種對(duì)付老板的策略：
改變你自己的辦事方式 很少有人是隨意發(fā)火的。他們一般是在特定場(chǎng)合因特定的事而發(fā)作的。你要摸清你的老板的脾氣，并盡可能消除隱患。比如，他為了你上班僅遲到５分鐘或打錯(cuò)了一個(gè)字便大發(fā)雷霆，那么你就要盡量避免這類疏忽，不論它們看起來(lái)多么微不足道。如果你的某位同事善于應(yīng)付老板的情緒，那你就向他請(qǐng)教一下你怎么做才能更為有效，不妨借用他的一些手段。
在盛怒下保持冷靜 只可回應(yīng)你老板所責(zé)罵的事，而不回應(yīng)他的惡言惡語(yǔ)。不論怎樣，都不要畏縮、支吾或抱歉。有些人自認(rèn)為可以對(duì)他人蠻橫，而逆來(lái)順受就會(huì)使你成為其目標(biāo)。你要自信地回應(yīng)說：“我想準(zhǔn)備一份令你滿意的報(bào)告。讓我們談?wù)勎以趺醋鰹楹冒?rdquo;。
采用建設(shè)性的對(duì)抗方式 你的老板可能比你所想像的更樂于改變其態(tài)度。有些經(jīng)理并沒有認(rèn)識(shí)到他們的言行使下屬感到多少不快，可以告訴他，你對(duì)他發(fā)怒的感受。比如說：“當(dāng)你在會(huì)議上責(zé)罵我，批評(píng)我的工作時(shí)，我感到很沮喪。請(qǐng)尊重我，把我叫到一邊私下里提出你的批評(píng)。”如果他看重你的工作，他會(huì)對(duì)自己的謾罵有所收斂的。
訴諸更高的上級(jí) 如果你的老板濫用權(quán)力令人難以容忍，你就得越過他直接找人事部門或高級(jí)經(jīng)理。但在你采取這一步驟之前，要謹(jǐn)慎地詢問一下同事，他們是否過去也與你的老板有過沖突。他們可能會(huì)支持你并且允許你在上告時(shí)提到他們的名字。這樣你就可以提請(qǐng)公司主管注意你老板的不當(dāng)行為。你可以這樣發(fā)問：“我能和你作一次非正式的談話嗎？”然后舉例說明你上司的作法如何影響你的工作。你要表明你想改進(jìn)現(xiàn)狀，而非懲罰你的老板。如果你的老板需要紀(jì)律約束的話，那就讓上級(jí)打電話通知他吧。
NOTE 注釋：
abusive [E5bju:siv] adj. 濫用權(quán)利的
poison [5pCizn] vt. 敗壞，搞砸
peeve [pi:v] n. 氣惱, 怨恨
slipup [`slIpQp] n. 錯(cuò)誤, 失敗, 不幸
brutalize [5bru:tElaiz] vi. 使...變得蠻橫
demoralized [dI5mRrElaIzd] adj. 士氣低落的
discreetly [dis5kri:tli] adv. 謹(jǐn)慎地, 小心地
