How to handle an unpredictable boss

It can be hard to deal with a manager who acts like Jekyll and Hyde. But whatever you do, don’t take it personally; you may have just said something that triggered a larger issue for your boss. Look beyond the yelling and listen to what your manager is saying, not how he’s saying it. It’s also a good idea to look for triggers or patterns in his behaviour. Figuring out the cause of your boss’s mood swings — whether it’s low blood sugar, pressure from clients or something emotional — will help you develop strategies for coping. Finally, make sure you stay calm. Responding angrily will only aggravate the situation.

(Adapted from How to Deal With a Boss Who Behaves Unpredictably, by Carolyn O’Hara)

Avoid communication fatigue when working remotely

In an effort to stay in touch, virtual teams tend to spend a lot of time communicating digitally. It’s a smart idea to be in regular contact, but all of that traffic can take a toll on productivity and motivation. So when you’re leading a remote team, consider these two strategies to limit digital communication:

— Routinise updates. Move your team toward brief status reports or bulletins — give them a template. Post it to a dedicated spot on a team site rather than sending it out by email.

— Hold virtual office hours. Make yourself available to the whole team for a few hours each week when people can talk to you about whatever is on their minds. Show people how to use this time by directing off-topic or random remarks to it: ‘Good question, Peter, but I’d like to save that for office hours this week’.

(Adapted from Leading Virtual Teams from the 20-Minute Manager Series)

Ask your data scientists about the costs and risks of data analysis

Data analysis can help your company make money — but data isn’t free. In fact, although obtaining good data isn’t always difficult, it can be expensive. So ask your data scientists about the specific costs of obtaining and analysing the data you need before moving forward with an analytics project. Be sure to find out the nonfinancial costs as well, such as potential violations of user privacy. Even seemingly anonymised data can be used to identify individuals. And safely anonymised data can be de-anonymised when combined with other data sets.

(Adapted from the HBR Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers)

When you start freelancing, let people know

A robust network is a freelancer’s best friend. If you’re becoming your own boss, you’ll want to start off by securing a group of people who are ready to support you — and give you work — along the way. Reach out to the people closest to you to let them know what you’re doing, including friends, family and former colleagues. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to feel like you’re begging for work. Take people out to lunch and explain what you’re doing. Think of it as an informational interview, clarifying the kind of work you do and letting people know you’re available.

(Adapted from How to Become a Successful Freelancer, by Amy Gallo)

Improve your relationship with your boss

Your relationship with your boss is one of the most important you have at work. So what do you do if you’re just not getting along? Here are some ways to improve your rapport.

— Align on goals. Talk to your manager and clarify what he expects of you. The onus is on you to establish a two-way conversation that aligns his priorities with your own.

— Empathise. If you think your manager’s expectations are unrealistic, try to see things from his perspective. Understand his priorities and any pressures he may be under.

— Focus on the positive. Don’t dwell on your boss’s annoying habits. Change your mindset by trying to find the good in him.

— Connect. Try to get to know your manager on a personal level by engaging him in conversation on topics beyond work.

(Adapted from What to Do When You and Your Boss Aren’t Getting Along,” by Rebecca Knight.)

Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, December 5th, 2016