My boss is making my job more inefficient. Any ideas how to get past this?

Hey there, War Room. I work designing training for positions in sales and customer service, and my boss has been a pain in the butt recently.


We are way behind on schedule and I want to deliver my work on time before I quit ( the tasks are already automated so I'm finishing them in less than half the time), but my boss keeps sending me back to review months old work and schedules 4 hour long meetings to nitpick on the work being produced.

Do you guys have any suggestions on how to overcome or confront this issue with them?

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36
FightingFistDrangon
Politicker
18
Director of Sales
Human resourcesย or your bosses boss is where i would go, nothing may happen but express your concerns
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
12
War Room Enthusiast
It feels like your boss is trying to justify his/her salary. This is a red flag. I would first run this to your boss if you have a good relationship with them. If not, try runing this through HR.

Is it posible this is happening because your boss knows you want to quit? if not what could be the main trigger for his/her reaction? If you know that you would be able to handle it much better!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
10
Trainer
Intersting thought! I believe they might be wanting to justify their salary, yes. They are best friends with HR though so I guess I will have to confront them directly.ย 
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
10
War Room Enthusiast
Yeah, thatโ€™s what I thought I would refer this to HR for sure. Itโ€™s not fair to be treated that way just so she can justify her salary.
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
You know, I might give HR a shot. Did not want to start a raucus before leaving but I guess it is justified.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
I have a rule, always do whatโ€™s best for you. Sometimes we miss out or deal with things we shouldnโ€™t because we take other people or the company into consideration and usually they donโ€™t consider you as you them. So always do the best for you!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
As good a rule as any, it has been a wild. I think we need to let go of the people pleasers in us fron time to time.ย 
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
Always put for self first, what ever is in your best Interest for your profesional future!
AlphaCharlie
Arsonist
10
Account executive
As an AE myself, this does sound sketchy, no manager wants any of his employees to be inefficient, because then we become inefficient and we are also held to deadlines we must deliver.ย 

Has she nitpicked on these type of things in the past or is this new behavior? Did something happen, like a final product was unfinished or unpolished to trigger this?

If not, I would speak up, let HR know that you need space to continue to do what you do best!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
Their behavior is quite new. We used to review things just fine and the meetings were not too long. I guess they did find a script that was not as polished but it did not belong to me, but a co-worker. I will have to speak up eventually I guess.
AlphaCharlie
Arsonist
6
Account executive
I see, then I'd agree with kinonez, It seems your boss might just want to justify her salary!
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
10
Sr. Customer Success Manager
become your own boss :) - or fire him as General corp xD
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
Hahahah! Love the idea, man. "Email in HR asap." xD
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
9
War Room Enthusiast
Here is the answer!!!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
I should have known it from the beginning xD
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
Hahaha well you got the war room for that!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
War room, saving time and lives of the common sales folk ๐Ÿคฃ
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
Thatโ€™s Bravado for you! Giving you quality tips only real beasts can come up with!
FlowerPower
Opinionated
8
Trainer
I am so sorry to hear this! In my opinion you should tell your boss how you feel. Tell her that you feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you have. It is important that your boss understands your situation. After telling her how you feel and she doesnt change then you should go to HR. Wishing you good luck my friend!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
Thank you! Seems like solid advice. I am nearly gone though so I guess I will end up just powering through till it is done. I kind of know my boss outside of work so I don't want to sour our relationship fully just yet.
FlowerPower
Opinionated
4
Trainer
How did you fix the issue anyway? Were you able to fix the issue?
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
8
Account Executive
I can relate to this and its what made me leave my last position. When the internal obstacles trump external ones, it makes me reevaluate things as an AE.
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
Yeah, it sucks big time. Especially becuase I really like the work I'm doing most of the time. Or at least the designing part of it. Poor management can take the joy away from even the coolest jobs.
RainbowShardUranie
Politicker
8
Director of Businesss Development
That's just an imbecile attitude - sounds like he should be downgraded to customer.
sales7
Politicker
7
Commercial Product Enablement
Sounds like she's reacting poorly to the feeling that she may lose you. If she makes it look like you weren't good at your job/ required constant corrections it won't look as bad on her when you quit.ย 

Try and just ignore it until your out, or just speed up your exit, I doubt it'll get better at this point!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
Ohhh good point, hadn't considered how this might look bad on her, thank you. And you are right, maybe ignoring it or just leaving earlier might be a fine response, I am planning on leaving by the end of the month after all.
sales7
Politicker
5
Commercial Product Enablement
Exactly and if sheโ€™s not an idiot she can probably sense that, just relax and focus on winding down.
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
7
Trainer
Got you, I am trying to not get too carried away. But just today we spent the entire day on a single script and I nearly lost it. Any advise on how to keep a level head when frustrated?
sales7
Politicker
6
Commercial Product Enablement
Thereโ€™s no reason that needs two people try suggesting you do some other task while she does mark ups or something helpful?
The_Sales_Badger
Notorious Answer
7
Account Executive
Don't go to him with the problem, come to him with a solution that feeds off of their idea.ย  "I've been doing it the way you suggested, and look, here are the results.ย  However, I took what you suggested and added this, and look how much better these results are".ย ย 

Or, in your next one-on-one, address that you are having trouble with efficiency.ย  Ask if he minds if you start a committee the discuss the ways to increase productivity and efficiency.ย  If they say no to that, then go look for another job.ย ย 


Leaders with egos will do everything thing they can to make themselves look good, even throwing their own employees under the bus.

MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
I really like this approach because it makes the manager feel it was their idea to make it more eficient all along xD. Very elegant solution. It is very likely I try this tomorrow. I will get back at you if it works out.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
Keep us posted for sure!
Justatitle
Big Shot
6
Account Executive
Leave.ย 
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
7
Trainer
Yeah, I am planning to quit actually. But I like the company I work with, just not the supervisor themselves and I don't want to leave with a bad image to the company behind me.
Justatitle
Big Shot
4
Account Executive
People donโ€™t leave companies they leave managers.ย 
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
7
Trainer
I agree man, I actually had not thought if it that way. It sucks to leave because of management, though.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
7
War Room Enthusiast
A bad manager will scare off more people than a bad company.ย 
Lambda
Tycoon
6
Sales Consultant
HR or your bosses boss is where i would go, nothing may happen but express your concerns
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
I feel you, I'm sort of concerned to go to HR as my boss is best friend with them. But maybe I can get through by talking to the boss directly. Any good idea on what to tell them?ย 
Incognito
WR Officer
6
Master of Disaster
Kthxbye motherfuckers ๐Ÿ–•
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
XD love the energy. *We are not gonna take it-Twisted Sister sounds*
Incognito
WR Officer
5
Master of Disaster
Gotta go with Megan Thee Stallion on this one - โ€œFuck bein' good, I'm a bad bitchโ€ฆ.I'm sick of motherfuckers tryna tell me how to live (fuck y'all)โ€
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
JAJAJ or with Cherub - Doses and Mimosas. "To all the bitch ass hoes, who hate me the most, yeah I hate you too."
CaneWolf
Politicker
6
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Do you have the next job lined up?
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
I do, actually. Different industry though. It is in the healthcare area, hopefully won't be as toxic.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
9
War Room Enthusiast
Thatโ€™s great news!! Good luck! Than Iโ€™d quit ASAP. If you have another job lined up and your current boss is not letting you work efficiently.ย 
CaneWolf
Politicker
6
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
That or you can just say it's not working for you because what's he really gonna do?
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
That's a solid point. I agree, be straight and foward!ย 
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
9
Trainer
Valid point, not much that can be done to punish me if i'm leaving by the end of the month I guess. ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
Yeah! Just make sure you keep profesional and your head up all the time! Always leave the doors open!
CaneWolf
Politicker
6
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Exactly, now you're getting it :)
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
hahaha am I? way to go me!ย 

But for real, that's good advice right there!
champabay20
Opinionated
6
Regional Account Manager
In your next meeting try approaching the conversation like a negotiation to get what you want. If youโ€™re familiar with mirroring and labeling from Never Split the Difference, those strategies can be effective in these situations as well. Saying something like, โ€œit sounds like you donโ€™t feel I did a good enough job the first time I completed the task.โ€ Could help to uncover his motivations.ย 
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
I really like this approach. Very practical advice! I have not read "Never Split the Difference" yet, actually, but it is definitely on my must read list.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
8
War Room Enthusiast
This is a smart way to go for sure!
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
I need a good list of negotiation skills literature. Maybe you guys know a few more to recommend?
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
7
War Room Enthusiast
Some of my basic books on sales related topics are;

rich dad poor dad
Spin selling
the changer sale
getting to yes
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
8
Trainer
Rich dad poor dad is a classic. The other three I have not checked. Will definitely add them to the list!
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
7
War Room Enthusiast
The classic that started it all for me!

Let me know what you think, I can always recomend you more!
GDO
Politicker
6
BDM
Tell them why it is less efficient. Manager prefer their employees to be efficient.
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
7
Trainer
I feel you! I actually got the manager to change the way we did reviews. I guess she realized how spending an entire day on a single script was likely not the most productive way to work.
No_ty
Politicker
6
Sales Dir.
That's just an imbecile attitude - sounds like he should be downgraded to customer.ย 
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
6
Trainer
No need! I'm already awarding myself that promotion tomorrow xD Feeling good about it though.
EH20
Politicker
5
Manager
Fire him!
MaximumRaizer
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
become your own boss :) - or fire him as General corp
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Has she nitpicked on these type of things in the past or is this new behavior? Did something happen, like a final product was unfinished or unpolished to trigger this?
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
Has she nitpicked on these type of things in the past or is this new behavior?
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
๐ŸฆŠ
Update?
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
It feels like your boss is trying to justify his/her salary. This is a red flag. I would first run this to your boss if you have a good relationship with them. If not, try runing this through HR.
Mr.Floaty
Politicker
0
BDR
Is it posible this is happening because your boss knows you want to quit? if not what could be the main trigger for his/her reaction? If you know that you would be able to handle it much better!
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
If not, I would speak up, let HR know that you need space to continue to do what you do best!
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