By Jessica Goodman, Cosmopolitan
Outsmarting the HBIC is no small feat (and
potentially effing it up can make you an angsty mess). Read on for four
ways to pull it off.
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“My boss has no time for me.”
“First,
try to figure out why exactly she is so busy,” says Kim Scott, author
of Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity,
“then offer to tackle some of her work, which will also help you learn —
it’s a win-win.” When you do get a one-on-one meeting, cut to the chase
and be prepared. If, for example, you bring up a problem, be ready with
three possible solutions. Deploy the same efficiency over e-mail,
editing them down to a sentence or two. “If your boss is reading long
e-mails, she won’t have time to sit with you and talk about your career
and your goals,” says Scott. “If you maintain a productive relationship
with her, she’s more likely to invest in you.”
“My boss plays favorites.”
If
your manager always assigns the most exciting projects to other people,
it’s normal to feel under-appreciated or left out — whether or not he’s
doing it intentionally. Start by making sure he knows the value of your
work. Crush your tasks, and don’t be shy about touting your results.
Still stuck? Ask for ways you can improve or for his thoughts on your
efforts. Say, “I’ve noticed that Beth gets great opportunities, and I’d
love to understand how I can get similar assignments.” Inviting a
performance review is really just another way of proactively asking for
help — and people typically respond well to that, says Scott.
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"My boss makes me run her personal errands."
“Sometimes
your boss is just desperate,” says Scott, “and it doesn’t hurt to help
out in a pinch.” But unless your job title is personal assistant, you
need to set boundaries. Next time she asks you to help with her kid’s
school project, “Say, ‘Okay, but then [insert pivotal task here] won’t
get done,’” suggests Scott. Stressing your work priorities will remind
her of your actual duties. If she continues to treat you like a
TaskRabbit, it may be time to look for a new gig.
“My boss criticizes me in front of my coworkers.”
In
the moment, stay calm: Don’t look scared or get defensive. Later,
instead of shit-talking your boss, ask him to elaborate — in private —
on what was said. “Embrace constructive criticism,” says Scott. “If you
treat it as a gift, you will grow and improve.” Try to agree with at
least one point — that will make your boss more amenable when you say,
“This is so helpful. Can we talk again the next time you have feedback?”
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