Dealing with a Bad Manager – Without Losing Yourself

You’re struggling with your manager

Maybe he’s unpredictable. Or she doesn’t follow through on what she says. Maybe you feel micromanaged – or ignored. Either way, it’s getting to you. You notice your sense of calm is fading, your energy is slipping, and you’re constantly on guard.

That’s more than just annoying. A bad manager affects your work – and over time, it erodes your confidence, your sense of engagement, and your peace of mind.

Why it’s so complicated

A bad manager puts you in a tough position. You want to be professional, avoid conflict, stay loyal – but at the same time, something feels very wrong. And that tension takes its toll. Many clients say: “I don’t want a fight, but I can’t keep going like this either.”

You feel stuck. Continuing like this is draining – but speaking up feels risky. If you push back, you may be seen as difficult. But if you try to please your manager, you lose touch with yourself. You’re caught in the middle – disconnected, directionless. That weighs on you – and doesn’t solve a thing.

What you can do

Coaching can’t fix your manager – but it can help you deal with what’s happening. You learn to take a step back and look: what triggers me? Where are my boundaries? What can I influence – and what not?

Sometimes that means communicating more clearly. Sometimes it means navigating more strategically – pressing pause on your emotions and focusing on what actually works. And sometimes, it means accepting the situation for what it is, setting your emotions aside, and making a conscious choice about your next step – so you can breathe again.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

It’s not your fault you’re dealing with a bad manager. But it is your situation – and you do have influence over how you handle it. Coaching helps you get that influence back – without having to fight harder than you already are.

Curious whether coaching could help you?

Read more about my approach on the homepage, or book a free consultation – we’ll explore what works for you.

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