Some bosses just don’t know how to say “no” to new ideas. Whether they really don’t understand their staff’s workload. Or they don’t realize what it takes to get things done. Or they simply are afraid to admit to their own boss that they can’t do it to all. And of course, there’s the ambition thing. Bosses like this mean you frequently get stuck with too much work.
First and foremost, you have to somehow let your boss know you’re already working flat out and can’t handle anything else. At least not right now. Don’t fall for that old “I have faith in you. Just try a little harder.” Delivered with a smile and seemingly no room to decline the new project. Especially if you know the end result will be poor quality that reflects right back at you. And on your boss.
But how do you tell a boss that?
If you have mental images of taking their manipulative smile and turning it upside down — and not in a politically correct way — maybe it’s time to think of an approach that will work. While still making sure that whatever your approach, you also need to find a way to keep your job. Each boss has a “won’t listen” and (at least probably) “will listen” mode. So try your best to read their body language while attempting THE TALK.
If they really don’t get what it takes to bring simultaneous projects into reality (or if they do get it and want to plunge ahead anyway), it might help to show them a list of what you’re doing, project by project, and how much time you think each item (and the new one) will take. Having something on paper makes it easier for them to picture it and, if needed, to show this to their own boss.
Don’t get sucked in to too much work!
Make sure that first of all YOU truly get that it is too much work. Don’t get stuck in “Well, maybe I should just suck it up” mode. As we said, letting yourself be a victim may indeed be bad for this particular project and your boss’s ambitions. But it also sets you up for a future of “We can do it, guys!” Even if we can’t.
You need to be clear to your boss about what you can and can’t do. Don’t think you have to be superhuman. Saying “no” isn’t letting your boss down even if it feels that way. And even if they give you that look. It’s watching out for yourself. And for the team. And ultimately your boss.
But how do you get them to buy in?
One way is to come to them for help. Don’t in any way minimize the new project, but explain that you can do A, B, and C. Or B, C, and D. Or just E with a little B or whatever. But you can’t do it all without something falling through the cracks.
Offer your boss concrete options and alternatives, letting them pick one. Or offer a compromise of their own. And discuss it until you have something that can work. But definitely give value to their “help”, so they don’t feel you’re managing around them.
Don’t just say no and leave it in their hands. Or say yes and wind up with poor quality or half done work by the deadlines. That’s a recipe for disaster. Obviously if they understood the whole “too much work” situation, they would have had a better plan in the beginning. So help them find reasonable approaches to the workload.
You can also suggest alternatives enlisting others in your department to help find a solution. Or think about other departments that might be able to shoulder some of the load. The sooner you act on it, the better for everyone.
But don’t fall into the “yes” trap
Yes can feel good in the moment. Who doesn’t want to please their boss? But if your workload is already heavy, you’ll only work yourself into a tizzy. Get real. This won’t be a one-time thing. And this type of boss continues to take on more and more if no one tells them to stop. They will always push the limit.
And if you’re one of their best workers who always comes through, you will be rewarded by even more projects for you to handle. I’ve never heard a boss say “Gee. You’re my best worker. The others just can’t produce the way you can. Why don’t you take it easy for a while. You’ve earned the chance to just sit back and coast.”
The power of setting limits
You are the only one who can set your own limits. Have you ever noticed that some of your friends, no matter what job they take, will ALWAYS work long, grueling hours and talk about how overloaded they are? They complain about it, but they don’t do anything to change.
While others you know seem to find ways to contain their workload, even in a pressure-filled environment that feeds on too much work. The difference is what a person is willing to accept and being smart enough to know how to still look good while getting what you want and need.
Remember: The work will never end, whether you’re there or not. If you clean up everything today, tomorrow will only bring more work, since nature abhors a vacuum. More work pops up no matter how hard you try to get out from under it.
I’m not suggesting you slough-off. Do the best you can no matter what. But also remember to take lunch breaks and get enough sleep. Learn that you deserve to speak up when things become unbearable … and even BEFORE that point. In the long run, you’ll be more productive and a happier worker.
Find a way to speak up
I say speak up with the caveat that only you know your boss. I don’t know them. So if you are absolutely sure this will get you fired or on their bad side forever, then use your own judgment. But also use your judgment as to whether you should start looking for a job that doesn’t keep you at full tilt boogie — unless you enjoy that.
Quick story: I had a boss who purposefully set the bar higher and higher each time, taking on more projects than we could ever do well. But what he didn’t tell the rest of the staff was that, even though he was known to be a tough boss, he knew they couldn’t do it all. Nice secret to keep from his staff, huh?
Once he even asked me why people, other than me, didn’t come to him and say they couldn’t handle something. Part of the answer was because they were scared stiff of the guy. But the other part was simply that they had never considered speaking up.
Instead, they sat around in misery, complaining to each other, while their health problems mounted. And while they dreamed of a better tomorrow. But the last part was something that would never come until THEY learned how to step up to the plate and make it happen for themselves.
It’s true that being a boss gives you power over staff. But all too often we forget our own power to help change our jobs in a way that also meets our needs.
More posts to help
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
Workplace Solutions: The Whole vs The Parts
How To Change Your Job Without Quitting
7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs
When Emotions Take Over In the Workplace
20 Ways You Can Improve Your Job & Career
Took the Wrong Job? What You Can Do
What To Do If Your Boss Takes You For Granted
How Do You Handle an Impossible Work Assignment?
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