01 July,2009 08:11 AM IST | | Kumar Saurav
At a recent award function, director Ashutosh Gowarikar hurled not-so-nice remarks about Priyanka Chopra but the actress decided to put up with him for their next movie together. FYI tells you why Piggy Chops has an important lesson in there
Tough talking doesn't work in the long run, tough people do. Bitchy bosses have been around forever now, and so have their tongue-in-cheek remarks that tear you to pieces, especially in front of an important client. But then, there are ways to deal with it.
Bollywood hottie Priyanka Chopra believes in "gadhe ko bhi baap banana padta hai" mantra when it comes to a rude director making a great flick with her. When Lagaan filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar pulled her pants down with some solid sarcasm on stage, at a popular award function recently, Piggy Chops decided to stay mum and carry on with their contract for a forthcoming film. Here's a guide to handling the delicate balance without losing your cool and self-respect.
The FYI take-it-easy guide
>Remember, you don't have to bite when a dog barks.
>Go up to him/her and say, "We need to talk".
>When the chief starts barking, interrupt softly. Something like "Can we do this in private?" works well.
>If you think the insult is not worth your monthly salary credit, no fat cheque is bigger than self-worth. Quit.
>If you need the moolah, do it as the diplomats do. Talk to the boss when he has regained his calm, say you'd appreciate the shouting one-on-one, not in public.
Not sure if your boss suffers from a superiority complex? Someone with the Shouty Boss Syndrome most often...
>Shouts in front of anyone and everyone; it's always an ego thing.
>Confuses you with direction of work.
>Mostly keeps you out of the loop.
>Rarely gives you healthy feedback.
>Ignores your compliments and greetings.
>Cries loud when the protocol is breached.
...AND YOU THOUGHT ONLY YOU HAVE A TERRIBLE BOSS!
America has long list of hard, weird, shady, scary and bizarre bosses. We turn to the Forbes' list of toughest bosses:
Linda Wachner, Warnaco: He kept an out-of-town manager waiting three days for a meeting and advised an executive to fire people if he wanted to be taken seriously.
TJ Rodgers, Cypress Semiconductor: When an employee asked him about his delayed paycheck Rogers said, "I am prepared to watch you lose your house and your family,
for real".
Herbert Haft, Dart Group: He fired his wife and son because he thought they were a threat to his supremacy in the firm.
Paul Kazarian, CEO, Sunbeam-Oster: He once hurled an orange juice carton at his controller.
It's not done, corporate trainer tells bosses
Avijit Sharma, Corporate Trainer and Founder, Mentorpolis
A boss's job is to protect the team, especially in front of a third party. So, yelling at a subordinate does nothing but build a negative image for you. It's not going to up your status, if that's what believe it will do. If you want a project to be successful, stand by your team. A good leader isn't an angry man out on a hunt. if there's a goof-up, take the blame. Sort it out in private later. It is the first principle in team spirit."
The experts say
DON'T DESPAIR, talk it out says Dr Bhavna Barmi, psychologist
Communicate better. Sit and have a chat. Tell your boss how your temper is demotivating you, and lowering productivity levels. Ask peers who already have successful relationships with the same boss how to deal with him/her. Be subtle while sharing reactions. Don't expect much from your boss. Analyse if the fault lies in your behaviour."
Find an icebreaker moment, says Ankur Beri, HR executive
The key is to develop outdoor activities that help build team spirit, initiate casual conversations and act as an icebreaker. By doing all of this, you make sure that conversation extends beyond the workplace, and this is where the key to a successful senior-junior relationship lies.
