The Anonymous Zone >> The Ridiculousness That Is Work... >> My boss makes me feel like a failure
My boss makes me feel like a failure
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Anonymous back to top |
Posted 21 days ago I work for a small company and my direct boss is the president. At first I loved working for her, but about 6 months in she became incredibly moody and critical. With the economy the way it is and this being a small company, my work is everything from answering the phones to newsletter layout to creating marketing materials such as invitiations. She goes from bouncy and happy to depressed to angry and upset all in an afternoon. I feel like I'm getting whip lash. Over the past six months she has become very critical of me and my work. I may create an entire invitiation and find a discount printer but she will still "discuss" with me my inability to properly address a letter to her specs. Also, she continually wants me to have her prioritize my tasks. Though I might understand this, she makes me feel like little kid being scolded. So it's time for our yearly review. I find her hard to read but I have a strong feeling she is going to tear me apart as she has in previous reviews. So what should I do? How do I prepare, mentally and clerically, for this? I hope to go back to school next fall and with the economy the way it is and I hesitate to look or a new job. Any advice? I'm definitely tired of feeling beaten down and like I'm disappointing my boss. |
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Anonymous back to top |
| Posted 7 days ago Put the ball in her court, and be proactive about it. Tell her you get the feeling she's been disappointed in your performance, but you need specific feedback to improve. Ask her for specific recommendations for how she'd like you to do things differently, and then document them. When she gives you an assignment, summarize your understanding of deliverables, deadlines, and other details in a brief e-mail - then if something blows up over it, review the e-mail with her to determine whether you got off track or she wasn't sufficiently clear. The bottom line: direct her away from personal, non-specific attacks and ask her (repeatedly, if necessary) for specific feedback you can take action on. Keep your cool and be up front with her about your desire to improve the situation - and remember that the only person you have any control over is YOU. Take the high road, stay teachable, and always, always be professional in your responses to her. Good luck! |
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Anonymous back to top |
| Posted 7 days ago I agree. For every issue she brings up, you should ask for (demand) and action plan with goals (what will success look like) to outline your professional development around that issue. Follow-up with emails indicating what steps will be taken, by when. Be proactive by emailing summaries of things you are asked to do. Also, you should keep a kudos file all year long. Anytime you are praised for work done, by your boss or someone else; anytime you took the initiative to do something that was beneficial to the company; anytime you went beyond your assigned duties - these things should all be in a file. Before your review, send an agenda that indicates you plan on being ready to discuss these things and how they benefitted the company. Take charge of your review and of your workflow. In the end, it is most important for you to be happy and satisified with the effort and results you put forth every day. |
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Anonymous back to top |
| Posted 5 days ago There are laws in each state to protect you from being harrassed. Find the law and press charges immediately. You cannot be fired for taking legal action against your employer. They cannot threaten to fire you after you take legal action.
If I can't treat an employee like a human and have to scream and whine at them, I have a problem. I need help or I need to be locked up.
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