How to get along better with your manager.

 

Let's talk about getting along with managers.

I hear frequently from nurses that this is an area of challenge for them.

And I get it because I have been there. 

Throughout my career I have experienced many different management styles and personalities. I have had managers who I still keep in contact with and the others that taught me the importance of believing in your self-worth.

Since most hospitals are hierarchal in structure, the odds are pretty high that as a nurse, you will have a charge nurse, manager, supervisor, or director to report to.

So today I want to share with you a few ways that you can get along better with your manager.

1. Believe Good Intent

This one can be a hard pill to swallow especially if you are looking at what has to be an assignment from hell at the beginning of your shift. And I get it, it's totally easy for your brain to start thinking someone is out to get you and wants to see you drown during shift.

But before unleash your wrath on the person who made the assignment or coworkers, I want you to pause and take a deep breath. Getting angry or upset is not going to make anything better and probably make your day even harder.  

Instead I invite you to embrace the possibility that the person making the assignment had good intentions. 

Because while it could be true you have the worst assignment, it could also be true that all the patients on the floor are heavy today and you could have the best assignment. 

2. Decide They Like You.

During burnout I had become used to be really distrustful of managers. What this resulted in was strained relationships that frequently bordered on awkwardness.

I will never forget when I heard my first coach say "What if you decided that people like you, it's not like they are going to police your brain." 

My mind was literally blown away by this because well, this is basically what we tell kids on their first day of school.  It was so simple but has been a huge game changer for me. 

By deciding that my manager liked me, I was able to move from this place of awkward conversations to honest and vulnerable conversations that helped me find direction in my career.

3. Manage Up

Managing up means doing what you can to make your boss's job easier and let's be real the manager/employee relationship is a two way street.

So how can you make your boss's job easier?

- If you have a complaint bring a viable solution.

- If you see your leader is swamped and you have wiggle room, ask if you can help them in anyway.

- Recognition feels good even for leaders, give praise to your leader for doing a good job.  

3. Remember they are human. 

No matter what at the end of the day, we are all human. We are good and bad, villains and heroes. 

Your boss will have bad days. 

They will make mistakes.

They will get things wrong.

And so will you. 

But we are all deserving of forgiveness, compassion, and grace. 

I believe in you and your possibilities.

Mary B. 

P.S. Let's be real, nursing school doesn't set us up to be successful in balancing work with our personal lives. So instead we push ourselves past our breaking point and into burnout. 

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Whether you are in nurse admin or working in direct patient care, I can help you he create the career and life you want to have without the burnout. If you want to learn more of how I can help you as a coach, click here to set up a consult.