Work for a Demanding Boss — Without Going Crazy!

By Luke Roney for CareerBliss

When it comes to bosses, demanding and bad are not synonymous. In fact, working for a demanding boss, as difficult as it may be, can be a great experience and a boon to your career.

A demanding boss — we’re talking about a boss who has high expectations, not  a bully boss — can challenge you to do more and perform at a higher level than you thought possible. It can bring out your best, boost your experience and pave the way for future advancement and opportunity.

That said, it’s still not easy to work for a demanding boss. They are, after all, demanding.

Here are some tips for managing your demanding boss.

1. Don’t Take it Personally
Try not to feel like your demanding boss is singling you out. If she expects a lot out of you, she probably expects even more from herself and others. It’s her personality (and it likely has something to do with how she got to where she is).

If it seems like you get hit with a heavier load than some of your coworkers, it could be that your boss is confident you can handle the weight — while she may doubt their abilities. We won’t go so far as to say take it as a compliment, but realize that it can be a positive assessment of your capabilities.

2. Know Expectations
Ask your boss for guidelines, preferably in written form, that spell out the general duties and expectations for your position. Knowing this basic information will take some of the ambiguity out of your job day-to-day and help you anticipate and plan for new tasks. Having the lay of the land and knowing what to expect will relieve some of the stress that comes with working for a demanding boss.

3. Evaluate, Organize and Prioritize
Think about the things your demanding boss is asking you to do and the time frame in which she wants them done. Is it all reasonable? Or is she expecting you to do the impossible? Make a list of tasks. Determine which require immediate attention and which, in your opinion, can wait.

Also, evaluate your own work habits. Are you getting frustrated with your boss’s demands because they are forcing you to perform at a higher level?

4. Offer Alternatives
Don’t get frustrated and tell your boss that what she is asking for is impossible. Be realistic with her. Tell her that A, B and C can get done in her desired time frame at the desired level of quality, but D, E and F cannot. Explain why that’s case and offer an alternative plan and time frame for getting things done (using the list you put together in Step 3).

5. Stay on Top of Things
When working for a demanding boss, there’s no time for slacking. The best way to hit your goals and maintain your sanity is to stay on top of things. Make lists. Set deadlines. Hold yourself accountable. The more organized you are, the less daunting tasks will be.

Get more tips — read “Build a Great Working Relationship with Your Boss.”

CareerBliss is an online career community dedicated to helping people find happiness in the workplace. Check out CareerBliss for millions of company reviews, salary information and a free career happiness assessment.

Image: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net