Problem solved - moaning manager

My supervisor is always negative about work and expects me to agree with him. How do I ignore him and ensure my own progression in the company?

Taking on lots of work makes you unavailable to listen. Try practising the art of ‘not hearing’. Concentrate on paperwork with your head down, or stare intently at the screen while writing or reading a report or e-mail. When your supervisor starts to complain, simply ignore him. When he repeats himself or asks for your attention, look up, distracted (annoyed even). Results can be surprisingly immediate, as serial complainers usually feed off the complicity of others.

Ask him (unthreateningly) why he holds this or that view about a colleague or company policy. If he suspects you disagree, he may fear his indiscreet comments will be disclosed to the wrong ears, and instead find a more willing sounding board for his opinions.

Look for opportunities to communicate with your supervisor’s own bosses, especially in his absence. Strategically copying certain people in on e-mails, attending meetings you might otherwise cancel, and making the effort to see colleagues in person (instead of phoning or e-mailing), are all ways to subtly boost your own profile and show that you are not your supervisor’s ‘stooge’.

Learn from the experience. Is there a pattern to his complaints that you can take advantage of? Can you build self-esteem by being able to rise above him?

A boss who always grumbles is usually harmless – an irritant in the working day. But be ultra-cautious about making an official complaint; promotion to management in most organisations requires having to cope with a degree of tiresome ‘people issues’.

You may be better rewarded in the long term for sticking it out, rather than running to HR, especially if your supervisor’s reputation is already well-known.

If you have a work-related problem you would like solved, please e-mail student accountant at studentaccountant@accaglobal.com