How do you challenge your boss's decisions without getting fired?

Voodoo

move to a country where it is illegal for your boss to fire you for that. like germany.

@ragingloli I don’t think so. I hear there’s a lot of Germans there.

@RealEyesRealizeRealLies Tried that. Ran out of needles.

This is not real a rewarding career path.

Why do you want to challenge your boss’ decisions? Do you think they are wrong? Do you think they could be improved?

If you do this, make sure to follow these rules:

1. Choose your battles. Constantly challenging your boss is career suicide.

2. Never go over your boss’ head. A lose-lose proposition even if you think you are more competent than the boss. The boss’ boss chose the boss!

3. If you can add ideas or improvements to a project or idea, then pose them to your boss that way. Do it as support for your boss, not a challenge.

4. Be prepared to back up anything you suggest with facts and data.

@Marina My boss is incompetent. I really don’t know how he got the job. But you’re right of course about being prudent. I just don’t know how much longer I can keep biting my lip. It’s painful to witness so many bad decisions that lead to to inefficiency and wasted effort.

If your boss continually makes bad decisions, he won’t be your boss for long (unless his daddy is his boss and daddy can afford the losses…if this is the case, run…..very quickly).
See ya….Gary/wtf

Taking your issue to a meeting or write a letter or go in his office and just say what on you mind

@Dawifey I don’t recommend that at all. Incompetents are fearful of the competence of others. If one singles oneself out as lacking respect for the boss’ competence, one is likely not to last long.

Better to depart on your own terms.

Learn to ask questions. “I like your idea, but what do you think about this way?” “I have an idea I would like your input, what do you think about doing it this way?”

I agree with yarnlady. It seems best to throw your suggestions out in the form of a question. Its less hostile then just telling him he’s wrong and this is a more passive way of doing it. That way even if he rejects your idea, it still looks good on your part that you care about the company and have ideas and all that good stuff.

i suffer with the same thing at work, it sucks.

Hubby has advanced to an enviable position in his company by using that method. He asked his supervisor “How can I help you meet your goal for the company?”.

If you make your boss shine, the new brightness will immediately become very apparent to those to whom he reports. Not to worry….they will find you. You can try to destroy your boss, or try to outshine him by drawing attention to yourself, but I’ve never seen anyone successfully do so. The people above him will appropriately wonder if you have the same scheme in mind for them, and they will not entertain you for a second. Travel the high road or just get the hell off.the route.
See ya….Gary/wtf

Usually it’s much better to influence your boss before a decision is made. Any good boss will listen to good advice. Once the decision has been made be very careful. Use diplomatic language. Use clever questions and clever approaches. Offer face-saving solutions. Very likely your boss will challenge his or her own decision.

If your boss is an ass. Never.
But find ways to build up your self-esteem.
Sounds like you lack confidence across the board. It will take time. Work on it and you just might find the strength and confidence to get your point across.

As a boss my door is always open. I am always willing and interested to listen. At the end of the day it is what I am influenced by. My main goal is to get the job done the best way possible. Especially if it is less work for me. :-)