When Anika, the chief marketing officer of a staffing organization, learned that her boss had unexpectedly resigned and her coworker, Charles, had been promoted from chief operating officer to CEO, she was dismayed. She and Charles had a long history of disagreeing on key issues at work, so she worried that she’d endure tense relations, micromanagement, or, worse, demotion or dismissal.
When a Coworker You Don’t Like Becomes Your Boss
Five strategies to help you improve the relationship.
September 05, 2024
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Summary.
When a colleague you dislike or who dislikes you becomes your new leader, it’s natural to feel anxiety or despair, worry about the fallout, and think about leaving. But five strategies can help you transform this challenging situation into career growth: distinguish your feelings from the facts; shift from ambivalence to active inquiry; acknowledge and bridge personality differences; leverage shared values and desired outcomes; and, if needed, address your conflicts directly.