How to deal with a bad boss or supervisor on a cruise ship? 

Well, this might be a one-million-dollar question for all of us. There are several patterns to make us understand why some managers are bad; there are also specific strategies that can help us improve our situation and status, yet, it's still tough to deal with a biased, arrogant, or untrained boss who gets promoted due to some heavy ship politics. An effective manager or supervisor can help you feel supported, communicate important updates, and make your work life easier. Unfortunately, not all bosses are great leaders for their employees. If you feel you're working with a bad boss, there are strategies you can use to improve your situation and navigate the relationship as successfully as possible.

I will list some signs you might have a bad boss, and I will try to offer some useful strategies for coping with ineffective leaders and improving your relationship with your department manager or supervisor.

Signs you may work with a micromanager

Finding enjoyment in your work and being able to work as a team with your colleagues and supervisors is important, especially on the cruise ship, where your colleagues become the extended family. When you don't get along with a supervisor, you may find it challenging to enjoy your work. Here are the signs that you're dealing with a bad boss:

- They're insecure. Your boss may feel unstable in their work position, possess personal issues of inadequacy, or even both. Well, we all do have some bad days on the ship, but we should never let our personal issues influence the way we treat others.

- They get frustrated easily. They might act angrily if a staff member on the cruise ship questions their decisions, someone doesn't complete their work to a specific standard, or something doesn't happen the way the manager expected.

- They take credit for things they shouldn't. Good bosses in the cruise industry know how to boost their employees and give credit where it's due. A bad boss might claim responsibility to upper management for something their team did.

- They lack professional boundaries. Most of the cruise ship industry managers will only take credit for the department's achievements, and they will distance themselves from the failure and blame others. A bad boss might cross boundaries, interfering with your work-life balance.

- They pick favorites among the crew members. Some bosses might have favorites in the team and the ship departments. This can create challenges if they assign less work or give preferential treatment to these team members.

- They get political. A bad boss might engage in workplace politics, which can encourage the spread of gossip or create team divisions.

- They focus on negative aspects. Ineffective leaders often spend more time discussing mistakes than working to find a solution. They might also give only negative feedback rather than offering praise or appreciation for what employees do well.

How to deal with a bad boss?

Finding ways to adapt and work with a supervisor despite disagreements can make you a more robust professional. Here are some valuable tips and steps you can take to help you manage difficult situations and encounters with your boss on the ship:

Analyze the situation

Some managers who appear bad at their jobs might be experiencing elements outside their control. They may have their own frustrations based on the restrictions or requirements of their managers. External circumstances, like personal problems, can also affect behavior and attitudes at work, especially considering that we are all working away from our families for long periods. Observe them for some days and notice the things they perform poorly against those they do well. When they do something terrible, imagine the most forgiving reason for why it could've occurred. Consider whether the problem is their fault or something out of their control. They might be soaking the enormous pressure from the office due to unrealistic financial target expectations. However, that is not anyone else fault.

Identify your boss's inspiration.

Understanding why your boss cares or does the things they do can give you insights into their management style. Try to figure out their motivation if their rules and expectations seem to be out of control. Maybe your boss doesn't care how much time you spend on the phone but is worried about the image you're portraying to your colleagues and superiors.

Adapt to their style(sometimes its the best way, if possible)

If your boss is a micromanager(sadly-most of the bosses in the cruise industry are), instead of getting angry because they lack trust in you, be proactive by sharing as much information as possible. Present various status reports and check-ins. Besides getting along with your boss, you may gain meaningful lessons on working and getting along with people who differ from you. The more adaptable you become to working with divergent people, the better you can expect to do in your career.

Set boundaries

If your boss lacks boundaries, consider establishing your own. Communicate your boundaries clearly with those you work with and explain what you're willing and unwilling to do. For example, you might have to demonstrate that you're unavailable after work hours and turn off your email or work notifications. Be polite but unyielding about your boundaries.

Act like a leader

If your boss needs more competencies, consider whether you can take over some leadership responsibilities. Work with your team to request more leadership tasks and find ways to help. Often, this can earn positive attention for teammates and more senior members of management.

Anticipate needs

Anticipate your boss's requests and perform the tasks before they ask. This is ideal when working with a micromanager. Doing so enough times can minimize the need for them to micromanage you. The negative boss may even realize that you have your responsibilities in check and lack the need to watch your every decision.

Use relationship therapy tips.

Borrow some points from relationship therapy to sort out the issue in a disagreement. Request clarity on what they meant, and when they agree to this, ask them to explain. Repeating their perspective allows them to explain themselves further while giving them the impression of being understood. Try to build the bridge between you and your boss and overcome issues that will help to improve your life on board the ship. Have a couple of drinks in the crew bar with your boss; this helps ease the situation.

Set goals

Good bosses often care about your performance and professional development, whereas bad bosses might not offer this support. Consider setting your own goals and work to meet them. By creating your standards for success, you can find more fulfillment in your role and boost your resume too.

Develop strategies

It's often easy to feel like you have no control when dealing with a bad boss. Conduct experiments to learn how to navigate the relationship successfully. Work hard to change what you can and recognize that you have no real control over their attitude or behavior. It's not your responsibility to make sure your boss is happy. It's only your responsibility to perform your job well. And the cruise ship industry is all about performance and achievements.

What to do when you have a bad boss who does not want to get better or does not recognize your positive approach?

Consider taking these steps when you don't get along with your boss:

Make requests instead of giving feedback. Some supervisors may not be receptive to feedback on their failures. Instead, make specific requests for resources you need while explaining your rationale and how beneficial it will be to the organization.

Engage your support network. This is crucial when interacting with an emotionally challenging situation. Have an outlet that can support and encourage you to reduce stress.

Explore other available opportunities. Look for other positions in different departments or for other organizations where you believe your skills could be useful. This is an excellent way to escape a bad boss and can help you find a situation that better aligns with your needs.

Consult with HR on the ship as the last option. Scrutinize your HR department's reputation in employee support before taking this step. Make them aware of the problems you experience with your boss and your actions to mend the situation. HR could offer brilliant solutions that you had not even thought of.

Exercise and get enough sleep. Take charge of your physical and mental wellness and take a temporary break from hectic work on the ship. That will keep your sanity in the challenging cruise ship environment. Engage in away-from-work activities during your off time on the ship, which makes you happy.

It's difficult to adjust, perform and achieve everyday tasks when you are away from your family. Yet, that's why crew members are among the world's most hard-working group of employees.