What do you do if your difficult boss is causing you stress at work?

If your boss is the owner of the business - Leave him. If your boss has his own boss then he is answerable for his performance - make him your dependent through quality and quantity of your work and yes set boundaries with least possible communication and eye contact.

Talk to my trade union. Trade union reps have a legal status and protection that ordinary employees do not and by working together targeted staff can make their voices heard. Only through involving trade unions can real change be achieved at work.

In addition to acknowledging stress you can do a quick assessment on the severity of the stress you are feeling - If you are breathing from the the belly, it means you are feeling stress but it has not yet gotten to the point where you are becoming sick/dysfunctional or risking imminent burnout. If you are breathing from the chest, it means your body's nervous system is locked in stress more, you should take immediate action such as taking time off, and consulting a specialist. Remember, allow your body and in particular the way it breaths to guide you.

Lidiar con un jefe difícil es un desafío y una carga emocional importante. Me he encontrado con muchas personas que justifican su actuar, lo minimizan e incluso les dan la razón sobre todo cuando reciben críticas constantes. Esto empieza a mermar tu autoestima e impacta tu desempeño profesional, porque te cuestionas; ¿Será que soy así de malo en mi trabajo? Reconoce que aunque sea tu jefe, su trato y sus acciones te están drenando y te generan malestar o estrés. Identifica los desencadenantes, presta atención a cómo esto te afecta y qué está dentro y fuera de tu control. No vas a poder cambiar a tu jefe, pero si podrás lidiar mejor con el estrés, ya que no todos tienen la posibilidad/oportunidad de cambiar de trabajo o su entorno laboral.

I would have a conversation with your Boss and be candid about the way you are feeling and what you need to be set up for success and to be engaged and develop. This is important whether the issue is about getting Role Clarity, interpersonal concerns you are having with your Boss, or whether there is a communication issue in general. You can write out Talking Points in advance which helps to organize your thoughts. You may even want to find a trusted confidante like a Mentor or your Human Resources Team for further perspective and guidance. If none of those are viable options, check to see if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Plan.

1. Schedule a Private Conversation: Approach the conversation calmly, focusing on how certain behaviors or expectations are affecting your performance rather than blaming them. 2. Use “I” Statements: Frame your concerns in terms of how you feel. instead of “You are always changing deadlines.” 3. Seek Clarification on Expectations: Ask for clear expectations on tasks or projects to reduce misunderstandings. 4. Propose Solutions: Along with presenting your concerns, offer possible solutions or adjustments that could make work more manageable, showing you’re proactive and willing to improve the situation. 5. Request Regular Check-ins: Set up routine meetings to review your progress and expectations.

Having clear and deep conversations about job responsibilities and position scope usually releases stressful situations. Those conversations might not be easy but are necessary constantly, aligning expectations and role objectives

Communicate Effectively: If possible, have a professional, calm conversation with your boss about your concerns. Focus on how certain behaviors or situations affect your work without blaming or accusing. Set Boundaries: Learn to set clear professional boundaries to manage your workload and avoid burnout. Prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary.

Once I manage to soothe myself I make sure to announce my manager that I need a little time to speak with her / him about the level of the stress felt in the air. It is important to speak about the stress when the other has the emotional and mental disponibility to hear. Don't go to your manager and say: "Hey, you are stressing me". At the end of the day the other person is still a human being overwhelmed by his / her emotions. Try to schedule a 1:1 and make sure to exprim yourself in a kind and supportive manner. Talk about what you notice, without accusing the other and emphasize the impact which it has on yourself. Also try to listen the other and to understand what is really happening.

You cannot control the boss. You can only control your reactions. If you set boundaries, make sure you enforce them. Any room you create for the boss to sneak in or get around a boundary will only teach the boss to keep at it.

Es fundamental poner límites claros para proteger tu bienestar. Esto puede incluir definir horas de trabajo razonables, delegar tareas cuando sea necesario y aprender a decir "no" cuando la carga de trabajo sea excesiva.

Remember the powers that be are less swayed in decisions due to confrontations that show vulnerability from possible miscalculation. Be thoughtful in approach if the conversation begins to turn sometimes it is a loosing battle that can be a win in your favor by walking away.

When dealing with a toxic or difficult boss it’s critical to stick with the facts and stay calm. It’s important to take all emotions out of the discussion and if redirected by the difficult boss to issues that try to evoke your emotions; stay confident and calmly repeat the facts and if provoked a 3rd time; simply disengage. When you bring your emotions into a situation with a difficult boss you put yourself in a position for those emotions to be manipulated and used against you. Stick with the facts. Be kind, direct and honest .

Last time this happened I contacted my previous very very supportive boss and thanked him for being such a great boss. My grad school taught us to apply to 3 jobs every year no matter what and I highly recommend this as a routine because whenever you get that one boss that ruins a workplace it's not such a big deal as so many other employers are looking for you and valuing you even more!

El autocuidado es esencial para manejar el estrés. Asegúrate de dedicar tiempo a actividades que te relajen y te llenen de energía, como el ejercicio, la meditación o pasar tiempo con seres queridos.

El autocuidado es clave para rendir al máximo y avanzar. Esto incluye descansar bien, hacer ejercicio, mantener una buena alimentación y evitar personas o situaciones tóxicas. Sin embargo, también es crucial gestionar el diálogo mental y los pensamientos limitantes que generamos. Una práctica sencilla para comenzar es dedicar 5 minutos a observar con atención plena una rutina diaria, como lavarse las manos. Percibe el olor del jabón, como abres y cierras el grifo, la sensación del agua, siente la diferencia de tus manos limpias o sucias…. Cuando te descubras pensando, vuelve a las sensaciones. Esta es la parte importante, el descubrirse y volver. Una y otra vez. Practica durante 12 a 21 días y observa la diferencia. Puedes dominar tu mente

Knowing when you are at a point of being less productive is important. I have to remind myself that even if I take a 1/2 hour to take a walk I'll be 1 hour ahead because when I'm back I'll be more productive.

As an expert, I can assure you that prioritizing self-care is not just a luxury but a necessity, especially when facing workplace stress. Incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into your daily routine can significantly improve focus, emotional resilience, and well-being. It's crucial to recognize that stepping away for short breaks isn't a sign of weakness, but rather a strategy for maintaining productivity and mental clarity. By recharging regularly, we enhance our capacity to handle challenges, fostering a healthier, more balanced approach to work and life. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup.

Seek to understand 'how' your boss thinks. Personalities can be different. We react differently, we think differently. I use the DISC assessment which helps me understand the tendencies of someone else. You could suggest that you both take the assessment or the team. So valuable to know how each other thinks/operates

I agree with this. No one taught us growing up how to deal with toxic people. There weren’t classes in school on how to manage these sorts of individuals. I think it’s the school of hard knocks that taught most of us:) As a narcissist abuse expert I teach others how to address these situations in the workplace while maintaining healthy boundaries. Difficult personalities create a lot of stress and anxiety for their staff. However, when you learn how these personalities operate in the workplace and see how predictable their patterns are; it becomes easier to manage your professional environment. Tolerance is the first step toward acceptance. Be careful not to tolerate disrespectful behavior from your boss or anyone else in the workplace

Keep friends and family close make time to be one with nature to be grounded to the universe it will create the space needed to be healed mentally and spiritually.

No dudes en buscar apoyo, ya sea a través de amigos, familiares, o incluso profesionales como un coach o un terapeuta. Compartir tus preocupaciones con alguien de confianza puede ofrecerte nuevas perspectivas y estrategias para manejar la situación.

Dealing with a difficult boss can be challenging, but it's essential to recognize that seeking support is a proactive and empowering step. As an expert, I encourage reaching out to trusted colleagues, mentors, or professional counselors who can offer valuable perspectives. Mindfulness workshops or peer support groups are also excellent ways to manage stress and build resilience. Remember, addressing challenges at work isn't a sign of weakness—it's a demonstration of emotional intelligence and strength. Empower yourself by seeking the right guidance, and you’ll find more productive and balanced ways to thrive professionally.

Get clear on the narrative you are telling yourself about your boss, their actions, how it is impacting you, and what is in your control. That narrative is what is creating your present experience. Then you can decide what pieces of it you want to keep, what pieces you want to shift, and how you want to show up intentionally in this situation. Those are the things you can control - not your boss’s behavior. If you focus on the things you can control, instead of what you can’t, your experience will start to shift.

Mindfulness and the awareness it gives us, allow us to create a little distance to the stress. As we like to say in Narrative Therapy, the problem is the problem, you are not the problem!

People and relationships, especially difficult ones like a boss are often mirrors for us on what we need to work on. It could be anything from setting boundaries, self-care, to being accountable for our own triggers and reactions. Mindfulness allows us to get out of a polarity of good and bad and allows us to be in a gray area of learning and developing our internal resilience and self responsibility.

Sometimes you have to recognize when you've reached your breaking point. You cannot put a price on peace of mind. No job is worth your happiness!

If your difficult boss is causing you stress, start by pausing to reflect on the situation and whether it's a pattern. Set boundaries to protect your well-being and, if it feels safe, communicate directly about how their behavior impacts you. Keep a record of interactions to maintain clarity and accountability. Lean on your support system—whether it’s colleagues, mentors, or a therapist—to process your feelings and gain perspective. Remember, if the environment becomes too toxic despite your efforts, prioritize your peace and consider other options. Your mental health is worth more than any job.