Leaders who are abrasive, display aggressiveness, confrontation, and often intimidate others during their professional interactions. They might use rude words, criticize others in public, ignore different opinions, threat to fire you, and prioritize outcomes over individuals. These leaders tend to focus on tasks and outcomes, often neglecting the emotional well-being and professional growth of their team members.
Working with harsh leaders can be tough and may cause stress, low motivation, and a toxic workplace. Nevertheless, with a comprehension of their conduct and the implementation of efficient tactics, you can proficiently handle such scenarios while upholding your professional demeanor.
In this blog, we will discuss how you can deal with the abrasive leaders:
- Stay calm and professional: It is essential to keep calm and act professionally when dealing with an aggressive leader. Avoid responding emotionally or engaging in confrontations. Try to take a moment to breathe deeply, organize your ideas, and give a thoughtful and composed answer.
- Focus on objectivity: Leaders who are abrasive might take criticism or negative feedback as a personal attack. Make sure to keep your personal emotions separate from the current situation. Instead, concentrate on the facts, logic, and the issues being discussed. Present your thoughts in a clear, concise, and objective manner.
- Develop empathy: Being able to empathize can have a major impact when it comes to handling difficult leaders. Understand their point of view, reasons, and underlying worries. By doing so, you can tailor your responses and actions to align with their expectations, potentially diffusing tense situations and establishing a more constructive dialogue.
- Communicate effectively: Understanding your abrasive boss’s communication style and having an open and honest communication is important when dealing with them. Be clear in your communication, articulating your ideas, concerns, and suggestions concisely. You can use active listening techniques to demonstrate your attentiveness and show that you value their input.
- Seek feedback and clarification: Engage in regular feedback sessions with your abrasive leader. Ask them to clarify their expectations, objectives, and preferred way of communication. Understand their leadership style for better navigation and to prevent misunderstandings.
- Build a support network: Abrasive bosses can be stressful to work with. Develop connections with coworkers, mentors, and reliable people inside and outside your organization. They can offer direction, counsel, and support when things are difficult.
- Document incidents: It may be useful to keep a record of any instances of inappropriate behavior that occur more than once. Keep track of important events, dates, and any relevant details. This documentation can serve as evidence if issues escalate despite your all measures.
- Know your limits: Be aware of your limitations and recognize when it’s necessary to ask for extra support. In case an abrasive leader’s behavior becomes unbearable or violates ethical boundaries, it is advisable to seek guidance from Human Resources or follow the established grievance procedure within your organization.
Conclusion
It takes self-control and good communication to work with abrasive leaders. You may lessen the detrimental effect on your well-being and preserve a positive work atmosphere by tackling these difficult situations with professionalism and understanding. Keep in mind to prioritize your own development, ask for help when you need it, and promote positive change.
To learn more, check out our webinar on “workplace bullies and abrasive leaders: why they act that way and how to make them stop”. You may overcome these challenging circumstances and emerge stronger, more resilient, and well-equipped to face difficulties in your career journey in the future.
