What to Do if You Think Your Boss Is Wrong - The Muse

What to Do if You Think Your Boss Is Wrong - The MuseWhat to Do if You Think Your Boss Is Wrong You know its important to speak up at work. But, lets be real You contribute with the hope that your ideas will be taken seriously.Its hard to feel that way if your anfhrer is constantly shooting them down and taking things anotherbei direction. And, it only makes matters worse if its not simply a difference of opinion, but you feel that theyre straight-up wrong.When youre at that point, all of the solutions can seem drastic Do you just accept that youll hate going to work every day? Do you have a sit down and hash out why you disagree with your boss every single time? Or do you quit, and look for a supervisor youll see eye-to-eye with?Before you get to one of those options, be honest with yourself Have you really thought about why you always disagree? Because once you have an answer to that (beyond I like my idea more), youll have a better sense of what to do next1. Because Its a ChangeIf youre in the dont fix what isnt broken club, its hard to get on board with someone changing things, apparently just for the sake of it. Its frustrating that your new boss is implementing new strategies when things have been going just fine.Build CredibilityIf your main complaint is that her approach is different, your best course of action is to do it her way across all projects. Wait Before you click out in frustration, Im not suggesting this as a forever change. Rather, its to help you decide when to push back- and make a stronger argument when you do.If you refuse to try any new approaches, your case is weak (and likely to be ignored), because you cant make a true comparison. Plus, you look more like someone whos stuck in their ways than someone who cares about the very best way to do things.Once youve tried the new strategies, youll be able to pick your battles- and point to specific reasons why you think a certain old process works better than the new one. If you still think t he new approaches suck and that your managers ignoring your feedback, youll have less regrets when you departure looking for a new role.2. Because You Think Theres a Low Likelihood of SuccessUnlike the person who resists new methods, youre at odds because you dont want to be set up to fail. You cant imagine going along to get along when the plans one you foresee crashing and burning. The just try it the new way approach can seem too risky if youre pretty sure itll cost huge time or money, or lose you a client.Get Clear on Your GoalsIn a former job, my supervisor made sure that we knew our role and goal for every assignment. Because the fact is Organizations evolve and these things shift, so its helpful to continually make sure youre aiming for the same target.By inquiring about your role in the project and the goals youre supposed to hit, you may learn that your boss main objective is innovating or piloting a new process- and that hes OK with what youd assume is a failure, so long a s youve tried. If, however, your boss has different goals, and you feel like youre being asked to do the impossible- not in a way that adds to your professional development- but in a way makes you dread going to work, then dont feel like you have to talk yourself to staying. While every job can include some degree of trusting your boss even when you disagree, you should never be made to feel like your job requires you to perform daily miracles.3. Because Your Boss Is a MicromanagerMaybe you constantly disagree with your boss because he never gives you the freedom to actually do your job. Or, if you go out and take initiative, he wants to see the project totally redone based on his vision.Be Honest With YourselfIn a recent article for Harvard Business Review, best-selling author Ron Carucci suggests that employees consider whether a boss is micromanaging them because their work isnt up to par.In other words, your manager is more likely to breathe down your neck that your have to do t hings her exact way no matter if you disagree- if your last few projects have been late, unfinished, or poorly executed.If this rings true, then, truth talk Youre stuck doing things her way for a bit. However, go out of your way not just to meet, but to exceed expectations, and show your full potential. Once youve earned back her trust, you can start suggesting innovations and pushing back with why youre ideas are better.But if your works been top-notch all along and shes just a serial micromanager, tell her its important to you to have the opportunity to take initiative and make more of a contribution. Then, listen to her response about whether or not youll be able to do that in this role. Finally, theres another reason why people disagree with their boss- and thats when theyre asked to do something they think is ethically questionable. This is not the time to try it their way. Schedule a meeting with HR (or your boss boss if theres no formal HR department) and share that you disag ree with what youre being asked to do. (Heres more on what to say).Of course, even when its not at whistle-blower level, were still talking about the manager you report to every day, and so youd like to have a positive working relationship. So, start by seeing if you cant try to learn more about where theyre coming from. Because, while it wont always be easy, if youre able to constructively work for someone with a completely different style, youll learn a lot.