How To Survive The Sharks ......

I've got to admit watching the sharks circling before unleashing a full-scale bitter attack at Good Morning - who knew Eammon Holmes was so full of green-eyed hatred for his ex-colleague Phillip Schofield or just how far Schofield was prepared to stretch his version of the truth to cling on to his mega-bucks contract and his seat on the show; has been painful, petty and entertaining.

I've always said, that there will always be some men, who are natural-born gossips, and seeing two senior names from the ITV 'talent roster' go all Celebrity Death Match on us, is also beyond tacky.

I've been caught in the middle of an open blood bath between two bosses before and by the end of it, I was so stressed out by all the bitchy, in-fighting, manipulation and gossip, that I fell out of love with the job and office environment: that it made me reconsider my entire career at the time.

Because of that, I understand the stress and challenges such a situation can place on you. In this blog, I will share five valuable tips to help you not only survive, but thrive in the war at work; when you're caught between two warring bosses.

BE NEUTRAL

First and this is probably the hardest one to do, try and stay neutral or as close to it as you can be. Don't get drawn into office gossip or take sides.

Stay focused on your work and show your professionalism, by treating both bosses with respect. By remaining impartial, you position yourself as a reliable and trustworthy team member, thus minimizing any negative impact on your professional reputation.

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY

If you're a straight talker, stay the same - keep it real and stay from taking sides or engaging in office politics. Instead, focus on your work and demonstrate your professionalism by treating both bosses with respect. By remaining impartial, you position yourself as a reliable and trustworthy team member, thus minimizing any negative impact on your professional reputation.

Effective and open communication is the cornerstone of managing conflicts at work. Take the initiative to schedule regular meetings with each boss to discuss priorities, projects, and expectations.

Be clear about your workload, progress, and any challenges you're facing. Keeping both bosses informed will help manage their expectations and reduce the chances of misunderstandings.

FIND COMMON GROUND

Now this is only if you have at least 5 - 10 plus years of experience in your chosen field. You also have to have the respect of your bosses and the business as a whole, to make this tip viable, because it takes you into United Nations negotiation waters.

Look for areas of overlap or common goals between your two bosses. Nail down tasks or projects where their interests crossover, and emphasize the benefits of collaboration.

By showcasing your ability to bridge the gap and find mutually beneficial solutions, you can demonstrate your value as a team player and problem solver using new technology like AI ChatGPT

CALL FOR BACK-UP

Seek guidance and support: Dealing with a challenging work situation alone can be daunting. Reach out to a mentor, trusted colleague, HR (although you should be careful what you say to them, as they are guardians for the business, not you or any other individual) or a professional network for guidance and support.

Discussing your concerns and seeking advice from someone outside the situation can provide valuable insights and alternative perspectives, like within AI driven technologies, helping you navigate the war at work with greater confidence.

SELF CARE

Do forget to look after yourself. Protect your peace at all costs, because no one else, can or will do it as well. Start with the basics, make a good night's sleep a priority, along with embracing a healthy diet.

Don't overwork just for the hell of it, or to keep in the good graces of one of your bosses, as in such a tense situation it will never be enough and may be taken the wrong way, by your other boss. Take your full lunch break, make it a special point, not to answer your mobile after hours.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Be realistic. When two bosses go to war - one or both eventually end up leaving the business.

If the war has brought you to the place of looking to start your own business either full time or as a side hustle

If you want to stay put, it is important you understand that surviving a difficult work situation requires resilience, adaptability, and maintaining professionalism.

By focusing on your work, effective communication, self-care, and seeking support, you can strategically navigate 'the war' and emerge stronger from this experience.

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