Do you have a bad boss?  Someone you think is selfish, lazy, rude, arrogant, unfair or untrustworthy. Perhaps with anger or insecurity issues, poor communication skills or a micromanager. Someone who refuses to give clear direction or takes all the glory for team efforts but attributes bad work to subordinates. Openly confrontational or passive-aggressive or competitive with subordinates. Any which way, you find yourself constantly in conflict with your boss.

This conflict can be detrimental to your mental, spiritual and physical health.  So you might be tempted to do the easiest thing – leave, change jobs, run away. But running away does not solve problems. Running away usually means that you will still encounter that problem in the future. Remember Jonah. When you fail a test, you have to retake it, and pass it, before you can move forward. Ephesians 6:10-17 tells us to put on the whole armour of God. This armour covers our whole body except our backs, so do not turn your back on this battle. Face it squarely and pass the test. It is important to learn how to work with challenging bosses so that you can perform excellently, keep your peace of mind, and operate effectively as a marketplace apostle.

In order to win this battle, there are a number of things you need may need to do:

Consider your biases. Check yourself. Analyze your feelings about your boss and determine the exact issue. It may be that you are biased against them on account of their age, gender, race, tribe, or stories you have heard. This does not make them a bad boss. Perhaps the Lord is asking you to consider your ways (Haggai 1:5) and not be a (dis)respecter of persons (James 2:1). Make sure that the position you hold in the conflict with your boss is the right one. You may be convinced that your boss is at fault, but as believers in Christ, we are supposed to be willing and able to humbly admit that we are sinners – often wrong and in need of repenting. Our sin often blinds us to our own faults and, in our pride, we too readily blame others for the situations in which we find ourselves. Ask a trusted friend to be honest with you about the situation. Look in the mirror, and be honest about what you see there (James 1:22-25).

Have a right attitude. Joseph had a series of challenging bosses: hateful (his brothers), capitalist (the Ishmaelite traders), opportunistic (Potiphar and the prison guard), vengeful (Potiphar), seductive (Mrs. Potiphar), and selfish (the butler). Nothing that happened to him was his own fault, yet he never complained. He desired and actively sought an improved situation but while he did so, he maintained a pleasant attitude that made people want to work with him. Does your attitude honor God? Ephesians 6:7–8 teaches us to work as to the Lord and not to man. It means that we will ask, why, how, when would the Lord like this done? It means that no matter how challenging our bosses are, we will work to control our emotions, and we won’t sabotage our work ethic. 

Do not take it personally. Even if you are absolutely sure it is personal. Taking it personally can lead to resentment, anger or depression, all of which weaken your ability to rise above the situation. If your boss treats you badly, realize that their unacceptable behavior has less to do with you and more to do with whatever they are dealing with. While not excusing bad behavior, realize that each of us has deep-seated issues that we carry with us at all times, and these issues manifest themselves in ugly ways.  

Discover the triggers. What makes your boss tick? What gets them excited or upset? What causes them stress?  As much as possible, work toward avoiding, or minimizing whatever triggers the conflict. 

Work to reduce the friction. Focus on what you can change. If your boss never gives you enough information or direction, book a meeting with them and ask all the relevant questions. If they micromanage, update them regularly. 

Take initiative. When Joseph was thrown into prison, he quickly rose to a position of leadership. He did not get that position by sitting in the corner of his cell refusing to work. He spoke up when it was time to interpret a few dreams. Take the initiative, be creative. Accomplish tasks on or ahead of schedule. Ask if your boss needs help with anything. Help your boss set clear expectations with deadlines, and then surpass them. Sometimes, bad bosses need a little help to become better bosses but they just don’t know it. 

Submit to authority. Joseph was obedient to his boss (Potiphar) but disobedient to his supervisor (Potiphar’s wife). Yet he submitted to the authority over him by accepting the consequences of his disobedience. Daniel (Daniel 6) also disobeyed the law, but submitted to the consequences of that law and the three Hebrew boys (Daniel 3) disobeyed the boss (King Nebuchadnezzar), but submitted to the consequences of their actions.  If you find your boss is unjust and you must disobey, be prepared to submit to the consequences.

Document everything. A Chinese proverb goes ‘the faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.’  Write down goals and timelines. Write down what is going on in your work situation. Document problematic interactions. A sheep in the midst of wolves is to be wise as a serpent (Matthew 10:16). Having documentation of your position and the consequences will help if a time comes when you have to defend yourself. 

Defend, do not retaliate. 1 Peter 2:22-23 reminds us that Jesus did not retaliate when He was wronged. He did not sin and always acted in obedience to the Father, never in self-will. There was never any deceit in His mouth – He didn’t bend the facts to win the argument or get His own way; when He defended Himself, He was always truthful. When He was reviled, He didn’t revile in return, He didn’t trade insults. He uttered no threats, never responded to verbal abuse with verbal abuse. Neither should we. Vengeance is wrong (Romans 12:19). Nevertheless, do not allow someone make you feel uncomfortable or disrespected in the workplace. If there is an issue, speak up.

Seek resolution. If you find yourself in a difficult situation with your boss, try speaking directly to them about it. You could also speak confidentially to someone trusted at work, for help on ways to address the issue (Matthew 18:15-16).

So my sister, fight this battle, but do it right. And pray fervently for wisdom because there is specific wisdom for every situation. 

My prayer for you is that the Lord will grant you wisdom, victory, and indeed strength. Amen.

Onyinye Chidiebere Nwokeocha