I do not feel respected by my team leader

1. “If your boss is making any kind of blatant racial, sexual, or prejudiced remarks you should contact your HR department.”
2. “Definitely sit down and talk to your team leader and let him/her know how you feel. Make sure to provide specific examples and focus on how these behaviors make you feel. You would be surprised how often they apologize and tell you that it was not their intention. If they lash out, maybe it isn’t the right team for you.”
3. “Connect with your team leader on a more personal level. Be friendly and personable, ask about his life, and let him know a bit more about yours, e.g., married, kids, hobbies, etc. If you do volunteer work let him know about it – he will likely respect you because of it.”
4. “Start by respecting yourself.”
5. “What does your leader need? If you take the initiative to help him out and make his life easier he is sure to value you more and gain respect for you.”
6. “Prove yourself with a positive, challenging attitude, take initiative for a new project and earn respect. You can’t demand or command respect. You have to earn it.”
7. “Dealing with the facts and not just feelings will give you the ability to deal with the issue or realize there is no issue. In most cases, we interpret our “feelings” based on our past experiences, not based on what the person you are with today is actually doing. It may be your perception and not what the team leader or team member thinks at all.”
8. “Ask the team leader what you need to do to gain his respect – just doing so will likely increase the respect that he has for you.”
9. “Team leaders need to have the inside scoop on the “why” you are qualified for this team project. They may feel that you were forced on them by upper management. Provide the team leader with enough information about your talents and experiences to win them over.”
10. “This is just one person. A person in power, yes, but just one person. Don’t personalize his/her actions or comments toward you and refocus on other positive aspects of your job.”
11. “I recommend you address it head on with your team leader – ask to talk about your performance, identify the areas that you’d like to improve in, seek their feedback on areas they would like for you to improve, and then come up with a plan to show your leader how you’re going to improve your performance. Do this, and you’ll be well on your way to gaining the respect of your leader.”
12. “You have to evaluate if there is a reason why you are not receiving the respect you think you deserve. Are you successfully completing your job? How can you be more successful? I would ask the team leader if you are meeting his expectations and ask for coaching if you are not.”
13. “Have you dropped the ball in some way that has led the team leader to lose respect for you? If so, take responsibility and rectify the problem. If you need to, apologize to him and the rest of your team members.”
14. “Does your team leader find you threatening in some way or are they insecure and trying to play “boss?” Don’t make someone else’s problem your problem. Just rise above it.”
15. “Maybe they don’t respect you because they actually don’t know what you do. Without coming across as arrogant, make sure that your boss knows everything you are accomplishing.”
16. “Many team leaders are just clueless when it comes to how their actions impact others. As soon as there is any sign of disrespect I would pull the team leader aside and let him know that you don’t appreciate his behavior and suggest alternative behaviors that would be more appropriate.”
17. “Work hard, accomplish your goals on time with little direction, and offer to assist others with their work. If you need to put in the extra hours to get the job done that’s what you’ve got to do if you want to earn respect. At the end of the day team leaders respect those that contribute most to the team.”
18. “Be extremely reliable. Do what you say you are going to do. Don’t make excuses.”
19. “Ask your team leader if you are disappointing him and if your performance needs improvement. Don’t be defensive. Thank him for any feedback that he may give you. If you need his help ask for it!”
20. “Are you and your leader on the same page? Do your expectations match? Maybe it is a matter of poor communication. Just start by talking to him!”
21. “If you fail to communicate your concerns things will probably get worse. Respect yourself enough to stick up for yourself.”
22. “Make sure that you are not saying “I” all the time – be more of a team player.”
23. “Does he act that way just to you or to everyone? If he’s a jerk to everyone don’t take it personally.”
24. “Are you being overly sensitive? Ask a fellow team member who witnessed the behavior what they think.”
25. “Did you do or say something that might have caused him or others to lose respect for you? If so, you need to take the initiative and clean the situation up.”
26. “Easy – just start showing him respect!”