How to Work with an Insecure Boss: The Harvard Business Review Guide

0:28This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. and vitamins. Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self. What propels you? Propel with Gatorade electrolytes. Of the many flavors of bad bosses out there, one of the most common and most painful to work for is the insecure manager. Insecure bosses can be nitpicky micromanagers or paranoid meddlers who make you question your every move. And if they see you as a threat, they may even try to damage your career. If you've ever doubted yourself because your boss doesn't have faith in you, or shoots down your ideas without any explanation, or blames you for their lack of success, this video is for you.

1:13So how do you know if you're dealing with an insecure manager? Here are some common traits. They're overly concerned about what others think of them. They can't make a decision or stick with one. They're always highlighting their own expertise or credentials, sometimes putting down others to make themselves feel better. They require that every decision in detail have their approval. They don't allow their team to interact with people from other departments or senior leaders in an attempt to control the flow of information. If you're working with someone who fits that description, what can you do?

1:46It is so tempting to retaliate or to push back or confront them or even report them to their boss, but you shouldn't do that. It is likely to backfire big time. Once they sense that you have disdain for them or that you can't be trusted, they're likely to amp up their defensiveness, making your life more miserable. Instead, you wanna start by understanding what might be causing their self-doubt. Let me just say, for the record, a certain amount of self-doubt is completely normal. At times, we all wonder if we can say, nail that presentation, or if our co-workers think we're smart. Insecurity crosses over into problematic behavior, however, when people try to conceal or compensate for their self-doubt.

2:30They end up resorting to the tactics I just outlined. This might surprise you, but research shows that people in positions of power are more prone to feelings of insecurity. Think about it. All eyes are on them. They're under a lot of pressure. They may fear being outed as incompetent or even losing their position of power. Knowing that can help you reframe how you see their behavior. For example, you may instinctively think, my boss wants to destroy my career, or my manager wants everyone else to look bad. But go deeper. Do they really want to destroy your career? That's unlikely. More likely, they're nervous about losing their job, say, in an upcoming round of layoffs, or they think that by criticizing you, sometimes harshly, they're going to motivate you to perform better, which will ultimately make them look better.

3:16Okay, now that you have a better sense of their motives, let's improve the situation. Here are some tactics. Tactic one, remain patient. Far too many bosses are overwhelmed, overextended, underqualified, and or undertrained. It's quite possible that dealing with legitimate pressures like hitting year-end targets or dealing with tough clients is causing them to take their insecurities out on you. So exercise empathy, remain patient. Easier said than done, I know. But here's a tactic that's worked for others. Imagine your boss as a child who's completely unaware of the harm they're causing. That mental picture can help you keep your composure and stay calm.

3:56Here's another example. If your boss is riling you up, excuse yourself for a moment to take time to compose yourself and calm down. Controlling your anger can keep tensions down and allow you to do your job. Tactic two, frame your work as a joint effort. Instead of competing with your insecure boss, pro tip, you're probably gonna lose. Figure out what their objectives are and how you can achieve them together. This is about framing things as a joint effort. Start sentences with we as much as possible. Try saying things like, we've got this, or it's good that we're in this together. And when you do succeed, share the glory.

4:35Don't in any way downplay your own efforts, but highlight the partnership. Acknowledging that you're on. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18 plus. Propel Fitness Water with Gatorade electrolytes, zero sugar, and vitamins.

5:12Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self. What propels you? Propel with Gatorade electrolytes. The same side can build trust and diffuse your boss's insecurities. Tactic three, signal that you're not a threat. You want your boss to think of you as an ally, not a rival. It's best to do this at the beginning, but it's never too late to reset the tone of your relationship. The key is to watch what you say and do so they don't see you as even more of a threat. For example, saying something as simple as, I don't understand that, can feel like a challenge to their intelligence, even if you're genuinely curious what they're thinking.

5:53A better way to say, I don't understand that, may be, help me understand your thinking. Or instead of saying, why are we doing it this way? Try saying something like, do you mind sharing your thinking here? Tactic four, flattery works as long as it's genuine. Research on managers who feel incompetent has shown that flattery, genuine flattery, really helps. Like everyone else, your boss needs positive feedback too. Many people worry about coming off as sycophants or suck-ups. I get it. If compliments are not your thing, just express appreciation for something they've done. Even saying thank you, preferably in front of others, can go a long way.

6:33You might thank them for giving you a high-profile project or making a connection for you in another department. Buttering up your boss when they're making your life miserable is probably the last thing you want to do. But it's in your interest. It'll increase your influence and decrease your stress. Tactic 5. Restore their sense of control. Insecure managers who have trouble trusting others often resort to micromanaging. You can interrupt some of their meddling by reassuring them that they're in charge. Your manager may be terrified of being out of the loop, so keep them up to date as much as possible and be transparent about what you're working on and who you're talking to, especially if it's people in other parts of the company.

7:13Schedule regular check-ins to keep your boss updated on projects that they care about. Make them feel included in the process. Overcommunicating now will save you the effort of defending yourself later. Another sneaky way to make them feel in control is to frame your suggestions as questions. Research shows that asking questions instead of giving answers boosts the sense of control in the other person. So pose questions that start with what if or could we that invite your manager to share their thoughts. Instead of saying something like, I think we should roll this initiative out in all of our markets.

7:49Try saying, what if we rolled this initiative out in all of our markets. What would that take? Or instead of saying, it'd be better if we took a slower approach here, you could say, what if we built on your idea and tried to slow it down a bit? Unfortunately, no matter how strategic you are, it's unlikely that you're going to cure your manager of their insecurities, and that's not your responsibility. And ultimately, if all of these tactics fail, you may need to figure out how to set up boundaries so you just interact with your boss less. Here's a quick recap. Don't retaliate or push back. Their anxieties are likely to ramp up, not calm down.

8:29Try to understand what pressures your manager is under or what's causing their insecurity. Position yourself as an ally, not a rival. Pay your boss genuine compliments or express gratitude and appreciation. Start sentences with we as much as possible. Keep them updated and be transparent about what you're working on and who you're talking with. And schedule regular check-ins where you can share progress on projects your boss cares about and make them feel included in your work. Thank you for watching. All of the tactics in this video are taken from my book, Getting Along, How to Work with Anyone, Even Difficult People.

9:04If you've worked with an insecure manager and you have a tactic to share, comment below. Also, let us know if you have a topic you want us to cover in an upcoming video. Bye for now. Fall has never looked or tasted this good. Sweet Green's fall harvest menu is back with seasonal favorites dressed to impress and made to be devoured. Warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, maple glazed Brussels and crave worthy flavors in the autumn harvest bowl, maple glazed salmon plate and roasted bacon Brussels side. The season's most desirable menu has returned to Sweet Green featuring fall's best dressed.

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