What to Do When Your Boss Doesnt Like You

What to Do When Your Boss Doesnt Like YouWhat to Do When Your Boss Doesnt Like YouI Think My Boss Doesnt Like Me. Now What?Do you find yourself thinking My babo doesnt like me on a regular basis? Dont panic - herbeies what to do.Wed all love to live in a world where everyone likes everyone else and our work days go by in a flurry of friendly waves and gracious smiles. But thats just leid how life works. Sometimes it abflugs out as an inkling a hunch. Maybe its the way they look at you . . . or dont. Or maybe its the way you always get the less-desirable tasks.There are plenty of signs your boss doesnt like you if you pay attention. For one reason or another, youve started to suspect that your boss doesnt like you. In fact, they might just plain hate you. Yikes Now what?Having a boss who doesnt like you is not fun. However, its not the end of the world either. Your first instinct might be to simply jump ship and look for a new job or transfer to a different department, yet you dont have to go that far. There are a few things you can do and a few you shouldnt do if you want to win the boss over. Heres what to do when your boss doesnt like you.Do stay involvedFrom big projects to team meetings, you want to be sure that your boss sees you right in the thick of things. Dealing with your boss means you should continue to be a strong contributing member to your department. Maybe your boss doesnt like you, but theyll have to respect the way you handle your business and how much you add to the team. If you need to, do a little subtle self-promotion. Its not enough to just be there getting work done, you need to be immersed in your team and your company and show that youre a key cog in the wheel.Dont try to go unnoticedIf youre thinking My boss doesnt like me, your first instinct may be to put your head down and do your work quietly without ruffling any feathers. Everyone likes a person who quietly gets their job done, right? Wrong. The best that approach can do for you is to push you from being disliked to unnoticed, and neither one is going to help you advance your career. On the contrary, it could make your situation worse. If your boss doesnt like you, it may be that they dont see you as a benefit to the team. If you go silent and become even less involved, your boss may decide youre not worth keeping around at all. Unnoticed is usually unneeded.Do say Hi to your bossThis is a hard one, especially if there are signs your boss doesnt like you. Yet, heres the simple truth People tend to like those who show an interest in them. Dont just say Hi and walk on by. Engage in casual conversation if you can and keep the focus on your boss. Ask questions and try to get them talking about their interests, whether that means the newest project in the office or their five-year-olds Taekwondo class. Learning about their interests makes the next conversation even easier. You can go from Hi to Hey, did Lisa get her Taekwondo yellow belt? In just a few seco nds each day, you can get to know them better. Show your boss that you are a fun person to talk to and perhaps that ice will start to melt away.Dont avoid your bossTough love time. Think youre stealthily avoiding the boss? Youre not. Changing your patterns so youre not at the coffee machine at the same time or never sitting close to them at team meetings may seem like subtle strokes of genius to you, but they will eventually stand out to your boss. Then what? Theyll wonder why youre avoiding them. Are you not getting your work done? What are you trying to hide? If you thought your boss didnt like you before, you really wont have to wonder if they notice that youre avoiding them. Dont do it.Related Build a Relationship with a Brand New BossDo be earlyIts hard to rush into a job where you dont feel wanted, but you cant focus on that. Showing up a little early each day for work and for meetings shows your confidence and your eagerness to work. If you need to, put your focus on your job and your team and try not to think about the boss too much. Youre doing this for your career not theirs. Besides, you may just find that getting to work a little early each day has its own perks.Dont leave earlyWhen youre around someone who you believe doesnt like you, its instinctual to want to get away. Its easy to think of excuses when your boss doesnt like you. Ill be working at home tonight anyway or I need to beat traffic are convenient ways to justify it to yourself. Leaving early to get away from a boss that doesnt like you wont win you any points. They may not catch on that youre leaving to get away from them, but they will think youre shirking your job. This can only make you sink lower in their esteem.Do compliment your bossA compliment can go a long way when its done right. You dont want to be obvious and come across as a kiss-up, but theres nothing wrong with a well-placed compliment, especially when thinking your boss doesnt like you. The trick is to keep it professi onal. Personal compliments about physical appearance or attire are dangerous ground. Stick to simple work-related topics like I like what you did to your office or Nice job on the presentation at the meeting. I think you got their attention. Follow it up with a little detail to show that you really noticed and you could be in for smoother sailing. Dont make up compliments. Instead, look for things for which you can genuinely show appreciation.Dont bad mouth your bossYou may think its simple office chatter, but when you start badmouthing your boss or telling others you think your boss doesnt like you, youre in trouble. Even when you think youve found a sympathetic ear, you dont know who that person will tell and so on. Once youre in the gossip chain the chances are that it will get back to your boss, and it will be connected to you. You dont want to get called into that office for a closed-door session that starts with So, I hear youve been saying ... Talking trash about your boss is a big sign of disrespect that will quickly land you in hot water.Not everyone likes everyone else which means that your boss may not like you. Its a tough reality. If they still respect you and the work you do, you may be able to just ignore it, but if its making your life and your job miserable, follow these steps to try and bridge that gap. It may be that there is a misunderstanding that you can work through with a positive attitude and effort.Click on the following link for mora advice on how to get ahead.Is your resume ready for the job search? Try a free resume critique nowRecommended ReadingAsk Amanda How Do I Ask My Boss for a Raise?6 Ways to Impress Your Boss7 Things You Should Never Say to Your Boss