Working with a new boss

Ruth Musana* was happily working as an Accountant in a law firm until changes were made in her department. Her new boss came with new policies. They found it hard to adjust; they were never sure what the new boss wanted.
“At the beginning, we didn’t understand what he expected from us since he rarely communicated but he was always complaining,” she shares.
Change in management at any workplace may come with quite a number of complex issues to deal with. Many employees like Musana are not sure how to deal with a change of guard.
Dr Simon Nantamu, an organisational psychologist and lecturer at Makerere University, believes that a change in management can easily be dealt with if both parties (boss and subordinate) follow different measures that would enable them develop a strong working relationship.
“Just like any other relationship, a relationship between a boss and their subordinate is two way,” says Dr Nantamu.
“How do you as an employee deal with the fact that you are now dealing with a new person? How do you emotionally disconnect yourself from what could have happened and move on as fast as possible without this affecting your productivity?”
Dr Nantamu says these are some of the questions any employee has to find answers to.
He is, however, quick to add that a change in management is something that affects both parties (the subordinates and boss)
“Unlike the subordinates who could have spent some time at the workplace, their new boss has not spent a lot of time at the workplace and could even be more anxious than their subordinates.
“So both parties have to find possible ways of dealing with this whole issue,” says Dr Nantamu.
How one can go about it
There are a number of ways one can deal with a new boss or even a complete change in management. Most of the ways, according to Alex Tugumisirize, a human resource expert, have to be applied by both parties.
Accept the change
In our day-to-day lives, it is almost impossible for us not to experience change in all aspects of our life. However, Tugumisirize says, one of the best ways one can easily cope with having a new boss or management in place is for them to accept and embrace change. This, he says, helps both parties cope with the situation easily something that can in the long run develop a good and helpful relationship.
“The fact that change not only happens in our workplaces, but all aspects of our life means that it is inevitable,” says Tugumisrize.

Understand expectations
Getting to know your new boss’ expectations is something that, according to Tugumisirize, easily comes as a result of good communication.
“Communication is something that is very key between a boss and their subordinate. Without it, a lot can go wrong even when something could have been done to save the situation” he says.
Besides a subordinate knowing their boss’s expectations, Tugumisirize adds that it is important for a boss to also find out what their subordinates expect from them.
“If both parties get to know what they expect from each other then, it can be the very first step to developing a strong and productive relationship,” he says.

Keep an open mind
Leaders need the support of their subordinates and one of the ways this can easily be achieved is having a strong relationship. This comes with things like a person’s openness.
“Being open helps both parties build trust among each other. It is, therefore, advisable that a subordinate is open-minded. The same has to be done by the new boss,” says Tugumisirize.

Be patient
Developing a relationship can at times be complex. This is simply because two people, with completely different backgrounds and skills are brought together to work.
“You may find yourself in a situation where you completely don’t understand a person, and so do they. This can go on for quite some time. However, it needs both parties to be patient in order to develop a good working relationship,” says Dr Nantamu.
“It may not come off easily for one to develop a good relationship with their boss or subordinate, however, one has to be resilient when trying to do so,” he adds.

Frequent communication
“Frequent communication gives room for both parties to understand each other,” says Tugumisirize.
Give feedback and discuss any issues on the desk. Tugumisirize says constant communication helps develop a good and lasting relationship with their subordinate.

Be Optimistic
This too, according to Tugumisirize, can help when one is trying to figure out on how to work with their new boss. “Sometimes things may actually not turn out to be as good as expected. Being optimistic helps one have a good state of mind,” he says, adding that it helps one avoid getting depressed even over an issue like that.