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Anonymous

06/09/20 at 8:06PM UTC

Career

My boss stresses me out!

While my boss has a great attitude, he stresses me out with the amount of work he gives me and pressure to get things done. He questions what my team is doing often because he thinks he's "challenging" us, but it feels like I'm being backed into a corner. How can I be more confident to get the time I (really, really) need to finish work, and respond to his questions in a constructive way?

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Katie Henderson Ladyboss752675

757

I am an expert in all things visual.

06/16/20 at 8:49PM UTC (Edited)

Your boss may be assuming you will rise to meet his "challenges", in a sportsman like way, of course. Or sportswomanlike way. Whatever. I think men often approach management as if it is an athletic competition, and they expect push-back, whereas the feminine approach is to achieve cooperation through negotiation. I prefer the cooperative approach, but I can play the game if I have to. It's not a good feeling to be backed into a corner and it would tend to erode your confidence. I like the idea above of "being a little more direct than [one would] like". You may need to get outside your comfort zone. Try being a little more assertive in small steps, and see if your boss responds positively, Good luck and let us know the outcome.

Lindsey Hamm

276

"I don't fail. I either WIN, or LEARN."

06/09/20 at 10:58PM UTC

Transparency, be clear and be concise. Not being upfront, is going to keep sinking you into a hole of his expectations. I don't directly have a boss like this, but my peer does, and he has to be a little more direct than he likes, to get to the place he needs to be, to be effective. Tell him that this method isn't for you and WHY, and make sure you have real-life examples and be specific of the negative result. (in a professional manner) Come to him with a new plan, that will work for you AND him. Ask for an opportunity to produce the results he is expecting and give him specific examples on how you would like to manage the work. I think that it sounds like he wants you to show your leadership skills, and challenge you at the same time, but he isn't letting you. You coming up with the plan, puts you in the driver's seat to take control over the work and it's completion. I might be wrong, because I've never been in this situation, I have just observed, but I am hoping that this can jog some kind of help for you. Good Luck!