There’s little that’s more frustrating at work than trying to tell your boss something important and realizing that she’s not listening. You may have a great idea about how to serve your constituents. You may be telling her that her instructions make no sense. Or you may be warning her that her approach will destroy a project. Regardless of the context, when you see her failing to focus on what you say, you’re left feeling dismissed, disrespected and powerless.

All too often, I’ve seen people respond to these frustrations in ways that are perfectly natural, but — unfortunately — self-destructive. These include:

  • Repeating themselves endlessly.
  • Blowing up in anger.
  • Telling everyone who will listen that the boss is an inconsiderate jerk.
  • Fomenting a coup.
  • Following their own path, disregarding instructions.
  • Appealing to the boss’s boss.
  • Refusing to do anything.
  • Petulantly and mindlessly following directions, abdicating all responsibility.
  • Quitting in disgust.

Many of those responses will bring trouble on your head, and none is likely to help you accomplish your original goal of helpfully advising your supervisor and making your team and yourself a success. 

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