Friday, July 19, 2024

Meet the New Boss

What to do when the new boss is not the same as the old boss

Nothing makes experienced workers more nervous than when the business comes under new management. Whether it’s a wholesale change brought on by new ownership or just a new direct supervisor, your life at work can become miserable rather quickly.

Your new boss may be a micromanager, watching over everything you do even though you’ve done it—successfully—for many years. They may be unfriendly, wearing a scowl more often than a smile. They may not know what they’re doing, making your work life a waking nightmare.

But most often, a new boss simply means a new management style. Everyone is unique, and this applies to managers and how they run things. You should expect things to be different.

4 Ways to Cope with a New Boss

Remember, change is inevitable, but it’s not always bad. Try to look at the situation positively. What might you learn from this new boss? They may bring in many different experiences and ways of looking at the job that may be better than how you always did things. If you love your job, keep in mind that adjusting to a new manager or supervisor is usually temporary. Before you know it, you may find that you even like your new boss.
Be understanding. Put yourself in your new boss’s shoes. They may be nervous. They may have a lot to learn about how things are done and the people under their command doing them. They’ll likely need time to figure things out. Also, keep in mind what pressures they may be under in terms of performance for the area under their authority. Try to understand their goals and how you can work together to achieve those goals. Empathy can go a long way in making life with a new boss easier for you.
Learn about your new boss. What are their priorities, preferences, pet peeves? Learn who they are and their expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask them, especially if it’s become clear that the two of you are not on the same wavelength. If the new boss is someone from within your organization, reach out to coworkers who were managed by or worked with the person before for insights about them.
Support your new boss. This does not mean you should try flattering or sucking up to them. Doing so will no doubt annoy them and undermine yourself in their eyes. Neither should you be defensive and hostile. Avoid both of these extremes and take a middle approach. Build on your new boss’s suggestions and offer your own insights and perspectives. Remember, you’ve been doing your job for a long time, and your new boss is very likely going to want to hear what you have to say.

Source: hbr.com

Meet the New Boss

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