Dream job but awkward boss, what to do?

rockeduyis

I got my dream job around this time last year, and while I am well capable of doing my job, and am well liked the only person who I seem to have any trouble with is my immediate boss, basically the middle management.
There aren't a whole lot of jobs in my industry at the moment, but I am good at what I do...and I'm unsure of what I should do now.
I'm ambitious, young and enthusiastic but what ive encountered from my boss has been bizarre...basically I have been told that she feels threatened by me which is quite odd considering I'm in my late 20's and shes in her late 50's.
Any idea what I should do, tried being the respectful employee, doing the whole line of please teach me all your wisdom, but it hasn't worked.
What should I do, if I stay my boss will continue to act like a bitch and i'll get resentful and demotivated but the other side of it im relatively well paid and the job is secure.
The level of management above her like me, and I get on with them...but there's no prospect of me being answerable to anyone else but her for the immediate future.
What would you do?.
Undecided

TempestSabre

Don't know what you do, so its bit hard to answer. I reckon I'd just be the professional and do everything by the book. Sometimes you meet people you don't click with it. It just happens.

onedmc

The latteral tinker would suggest that u get your boss a new job.

Send their details off to recruitment agencies, best result is that they move on, worst case is that they get into a really good mood coz they been "Head-Hunted"

Judt

Heh, nice plan.

If there are few jobs and the one you have is secure, stick it out. Try different approaches, be it shining to the next tier of management to making her look better - the latter being the best plan, I think.

[Jackass]

How much interaction do you have with her from day-to-day?

If it's constant then that's pretty intense...but if you're able to just keep your head down, get on with your work she'll eventually level out i'd imagine..."not getting in her way" should make her feel less threatend.

Plus, if it's your dream job and you're well paid, don't let ANYONE bully you out of it...try to learn to cope with it and in time, if it persists, you might consider mentioning it to HR or higher management...Like you said, they seem to like you.

Not in an official complaint manner, but in a, "she may have a problem with me and it makes me uncomfortable" manner...if managment had a word, she will probably resent you, but will have been warned off "bullying" or having issues with you, so she'd probably put on a fake front around you of being nice or just ignore you...either way you don't have to deal with it.

Also, if other staff members notice it or comment on it, if you have enough of them you could ask them if they would mind if you mentioned their name in the meeting, such as X and Y have also noticed it and mentioned it to me, so if they feel it needs some more back-up before they decide on a course of action, they may ask for a quiet word with either of them just to hear about what they've seen.

I wouldn't worry though, just try and enjoy your dream job and get on with everyone else...but if this one persons attitude towards you is ruining work life for you, you shouldn't hesitate in taking some sort of action, as it's bullying and unfair.

And besides, if this is a perfect job and you're in it for the career prospects, she's in her late 50's...hopefully she'll be gone in a couple of years

(retired - not dead)

waz

Part of life that you interact with all types of people, some you get on with some you don’t. Chances are you will never get on with this person, maybe they see you as a threat, maybe you made a bad first impression? whatever.
Set yourself a deadline, that if your work life in this current organisation does not improve, its time for you to move. In that time show some initiative; go out of your way to assist others, volunteer for project teams, get yourself noticed by others. Someone might notice your efforts and try get you transferred to their dept, senior management may see your potential and move you ........ maybe your current manager may see you as an asset worth fighting for .......What have you got to loose

homeOwner

rockeduyis wrote:

I'm ambitious, young and enthusiastic but what ive encountered from my boss has been bizarre...basically I have been told that she feels threatened by me which is quite odd considering I'm in my late 20's and shes in her late 50's.

You will come across this alot in working life. I have met people like this and basically its the route people go down when they feel like you are potentially better at your job than they are. She is in her late 50s, you are just starting out and from the sounds of it you are well liked (especially by her bosses) and good at what you do. You are probably going to replace her eventually and she knows it, she is probably trying to hang on to what authority and status she has while you are snapping at her heels on the way up.

Dont take it personally, all she is trying to do is guard her turf. She has probably worked really hard to get where she is and doesnt want you coming in usurping her, even if you arent doing that it might seem that way to her.

Stick with it. Be professional in your dealings with her as long as she is professional with you. If she crosses the line of bullying you then mention it to her first to resolve if and if you get no joy go to HR. Let her know you are not going to take that from her and she will probably back down. But make sure you are sure that it is demonstratable bullying or you will be seen as the aggressor/causing problems.

Good luck.