11 Ways To Treat Your Boss Like A Pet To Avoid Constant Chaos & Stress
Your boss and your pet may have something in common when it comes to how you handle them.
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock Trying to navigate workplace responsibilities while coping with the constant frustration caused by a toxic boss is challenging for anyone. It can be confusing when, in one moment, your boss is praising you and then, in the next, they're barking orders at you or telling you everything you've done wrong.
It might sound ridiculous, but it may actually help to treat your boss in the same manner that you would a pet in order to avoid constant chaos and stress. No, you probably shouldn't get them a leash or a squeaky toy, but learning to understand their moods and anticipate their triggers can make your work life a whole lot easier.
Here are 11 ways to treat your boss like a pet to avoid constant chaos and stress
1. Learn their cues
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When it comes to handling your pets, every owner knows that it's essential to pay attention to their cues. When a cat has its ears back and eyes wide, it usually means they're irritated and might pounce on you at any moment. When a dog is wagging its tail in a circle, it means it's happy.
The same is true for your boss, but probably in a more subtle way. Knowing that your boss gets extra short-tempered during meetings that run longer than they should, or starts pacing around the office when overwhelmed by a new deadline that has popped up, can save you time on how to approach them. Considering that nearly 44% of employees feel their bosses don't truly understand them at work and often underestimate their contributions, it may be beneficial to learn to understand your boss's different behaviors and moods and work with them accordingly. That way, you won't feel as if you're working for someone who's just completely impossible to please.
2. Set boundaries
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When you have a pet, it's essential not to let them take over your entire space. It's why owners will crate train their dogs when they're not at home so they don't make a mess of their house, and why owners will make sure that their cat isn't just lounging around on the same kitchen counters that they cook on. Bosses, in their own way, can benefit from having a clear limit on when they can interact with you. It's not about being defiant or trying to be a difficult employee, but about conserving your energy so you can do your job well.
"Anxiety comes from unpredictability," explained therapist and executive coach Brandon Smith about setting professional boundaries at work. "When you don’t know what someone is going to talk about it’s almost like being on a roller coaster with this person and you don’t know when the hills are coming and when the loops are coming."
When you're always saying yes to things just because your boss asks, you're letting them know that you're always available for every little thing they need, even at your own expense. By being able to draw lines, such as not answering emails past certain times of the day or clearly stating that you won't do something outside of your job requirements, you're setting up a structure that they have to be okay with working within.
3. Know when to walk away
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Sometimes the best thing you can do as a pet owner is walk away from your fur baby when they're being too chaotic and stressful. When your cat is bouncing off the walls from zoomies or your dog has developed a new habit of chewing your shoelaces and destroying your belongings, no amount of yelling or chasing them around can make them stop. The only solution sometimes is to let them calm back down and relax.
Managers impact employees' mental health (69%) more than doctors (51%) or therapists (41%)—and it's even the same as a spouse or partner (69%). On top of that, work stress ends up negatively impacting employees' home life (71%), well-being (64%), and relationships (62%).
With your boss, sometimes stepping back and walking away is often the best choice to save your mental state. When you notice your boss spinning themselves into a frenzy, you might feel the need to intervene or even try and reason with them when they get like that, but you might only be making things worse for you. Walking away doesn't mean you're ignoring your responsibilities, but rather choosing not to add any more fuel to the fire.
4. Keep the routine consistent
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Being consistent with your boss doesn't mean being rigid. Similarly, pets can thrive on routine. Whether it's feeding them or taking them out for a walk, they usually feel more relaxed and safer when they know what to expect. With your boss, making sure to send regular updates at the same time each week, or setting up brief check-in meetings so your boss can feel informed without having to either chase you down or micromanage, can help with the unnecessary pressure that you may feel from them.
No one enjoys being micromanaged either. According to a survey from Monster, nearly three out of four workers say micromanagement raises the biggest red flag about a workplace. Almost half say they would leave a job because of it.
Being in a routine with your boss can help you provide updates and allow you to go about your day efficiently without worrying about being pulled in multiple directions by your boss. Once the routine is set, both you and your boss can breathe a little bit easier.
5. Don't overstimulate them
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Just like pets, bosses can only handle so much stimulation before they start to feel overwhelmed, and that stress ends up affecting your work life. In the same way that a routine can help the relationship you have with your boss, so does making sure you aren't inundating your boss with sudden emails that take up their time, or dropping multiple topics and ideas onto their desk at one time.
"Stop thinking of your boss as a leader you need to persuade. Start thinking of them like an unpredictable pet. You don't reason with a barking dog or a startled cat. You manage their behavior so the chaos doesn't take over the whole house," insists career expert and content creator Lynda Harvey.
The same way that a dog surrounded by a bunch of toys and noises will start to feel anxious, if you pile too many tasks, questions, and even updates to projects all at once, your boss can end up becoming too frazzled. By taking the time to organize the information and prioritize what actually matters, it'll help your boss stay on task, and as a result, they'll feel calmer throughout the day. And a calm boss means you can actually feel a bit of peace in the office, rather than taking on their stress and making life miserable for you.
6. Don't tease them with the things you won't give them
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The golden rule of having a pet is not dangling a toy in front of their face that they can't play with. A dog will whine and become transfixed on that unattainable toy, while a cat might swipe at you or walk away entirely. Bosses are no different when you think about it. If you're the type of employee who brings up ideas and projects but has zero intention or ability to deliver them, you're setting yourself up for unnecessary stress and conflict.
Teasing your boss with hints of promises that you know you either don't have time to do or the energy to see them through, with all of the other things you have going on, your boss will only become irritated with you for under-delivering. It'll become much harder for them to trust your word in the future. If you're excited about a new idea, it's best to be honest about where you are in the process of seeing it come to fruition. Your boss may have ideas to help you out, rather than assuming you'll handle it all on your own when you actually need assistance.
7. Avoid sudden movements
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Sudden movements often result in your pet reacting in a manner that you probably didn't intend. Whether they hiss out of fear or suddenly growl at you, acting without warning can catch them off guard and bring out quite a nasty reaction. At work, when you end up dropping unexpected news on your boss or completely changing course without giving them a warning beforehand, it can stress them out and also confuse them beyond belief.
Rather than being unpredictable, your actions and communication should be consistent enough that your boss isn't caught off guard by any sudden shifts. If you're itching for some kind of change, it's best to be open and honest with your boss rather than taking on that change and then reaping the consequences of their reaction. A heads-up can go a long way and help minimize any drama that might ensue from dropping something unexpected onto their desk and affecting their already busy day.
8. Don't chase them when they hide
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Similar to a cat seeking refuge when they're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you shouldn't try to coax your boss out into the open when they don't want to be. Constantly hovering or chasing after them when it's clear they need some space to clear their head in their office means that you're only going to add to their stress and discomfort. Being able to understand your boss's mood can help tremendously with navigating the workplace.
If they're overwhelmed with deadlines or annoyed by a previous conversation they'd had with another colleague, it's best to give them time to think and calm down before trying to interact with them. Bursting into their office and immediately blurting out all of the things that you need help with or that need their attention will only make them more irritated than they probably already are. The key is to feed them information when the moment is right, rather than overstepping on their boundaries, which are just as important as yours.
9. Know their triggers
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Every pet has something that you know might trigger them, whether it's loud noises, unexpected movements, or someone getting too close without letting them sniff them first. Once you're aware of these triggers, you can help prevent any chaos that might ensue from being exposed to these things.
Everyone has their specific triggers as well, including your boss. Knowing what gets your boss frustrated means you can avoid doing them.
The more you observe the things that trigger your boss, like a missed deadline or a last-minute addition to their schedule, you'll be able to avoid provoking the kinds of reactions from them that end up making you feel stressed in the process. Triggering your boss may ultimately impact the entire team. Knowing their moods and attitudes will help you create a calmer, more peaceful work environment where you can actually get things done.
10. Offer solutions
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In the same way that you can offer and redirect your pet's attention to their favorite toy when they're acting up or causing chaos, your boss's frustrations can be soothed with some helpful problem-solving. Most bosses greatly appreciate employees who not only identify issues but also come to them with prepared solutions. A boss has a million and one things to do every single day, so they usually value employees who can help unburden some of their workload, even if it's by a tiny amount.
Being able to offer some solutions rather than complaining and adding to the stress means you're not only showing your boss that you're capable of thinking critically, but that you're able to help solve their problems when they can't seem to do so themselves. It can help them avoid panicking in high-stress situations and instead know that you're able to provide better solutions to prevent further chaos in the workplace.
11. Anticipate their needs
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Being a responsible pet owner means being able to recognize what your pet needs and pick up on their cues. Knowing what to give your pet so they don't freak out means that everyone can stay calm and happy without any disturbances. With your boss, if you're able to predict what they need and have it ready, you can successfully help prevent chaos in the workplace and alleviate stress among employees who are trying to please their boss. Being able to anticipate means observing intently. It's paying attention to your boss's behavior and the things they prefer.
Noticing these patterns, such as their preference for email over meetings or their enjoyment of end-of-the-week updates on what has happened and what's coming, means you'll be better equipped to handle their demands and help keep the day running smoothly. For many employees, a bad manager is often the reason they're so stressed, with 84% of American workers stating that poorly trained people managers create a lot of unnecessary work and stress. Being able to anticipate their needs means you'll avoid scrambling at the last minute and help protect your sanity, especially if your boss falls under the "bad manager" category.
Nia Tipton is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and journalism who covers news and lifestyle topics that focus on psychology, relationships, and the human experience.
