What makes people think their manager is from hell

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Sooner of later the chances are good that you’re going to work for the “boss from hell”. This is a person who seemingly is friendly to you and even says hello in the morning but behind your back they under mind you and play you against the people you work with. This type of boss is more interested in their own position and aspirations within the company and will blow with the wind rather than stand up for you. Here are some signs that you boss may have 666 written on his/her scalp:

YOUR BOSS IS UNFAIRLY CRITICAL

  • everything you do is wrong: approach the boss with a positive spin and ask how the boss wants it done differently. Only the most insecure boss will not appreciate the fact that you solicited feedback and didn’t blame them.
  • he wants to reinvent the wheel and his shit always stinks less.

HE/SHE IS A MICROMANAGER

  • it’s never good enough: again, emphasize that you want to solve the problem and improve your performance.

HE/SHE IS A HOTHEAD:

  • secretion of abnormal levels of adrenaline: this is a psychological response to stress or the fact that they are over their heads and fear that they will be found out for what they really are not.

YOUR BOSS IS INEFFECTUAL

  • lazy, distracted by family issues, burned out, or over his/her head. Yep, I’ve seen this a time or two! You can’t change the boss, so get help from senior coworkers or other supervisors. They ask how you are but don’t really care that you have a fever and are sick as a dog, just get the work done.

YOUR BOSS IS UNETHICAL

  • dodges work, gets credit for someone else’s work, and is a huge liar.Haven’t we all had one of these?  What is more disturbing are bosses who say “I really went to the carpet to try and get this for you but..” when they have not done anything and are basically lying to your face.

MISSING IN ACTION

  • they are never around and that sets you up for failure or having to scramble for help with an unenthusiastic supervisor not over you.

BACKGROUND SHADOW

  • they never defend you or acknowledge you exist: I’d have a hard time conceptualizing someone not acknowledging me…but then….

THE EVIL ONE

  • see hothead: Dr.Jekyll-Mr.Hyde– how the hell do you approach this boss?
  • they are the predatory boss that crushes your spirit and leaves you in tears.
  • you are the scum of the earth, never forget that!
  • you start second guessing yourself so much that you ask for a third party’s opinion.

GLORY HOG

  • “I’ll do it because no one can do it right.”
  • this will be the first person to speak in a unit meeting and the last person to speak in a unit meeting.
  • people are afraid to approach this one. It could also be a coworker that fits this category…

If you work for a boss like this I have some bad news.  The chances are that in any battle he/she is going to win because they know how to play the system and the game better than you do.  Also remember that HR people are not there for YOU they are there to protect the company and your boss.

What to do ?

1. If you have decided that you stuck at your job and actually it’s not a bad job except for your Satan manager than keep a personal file at all times with correspondence that directly demonstrates bad management behavior.  This includes emails and hand written notes.

2. If the demon is only demonic in person than always send a follow-up email with the key points of his/her rant and keep a copy for your files.

3. If going to work on Monday gives you that sinking feeling in your gut than it’s time to really think about leaving.  You have to ask yourself “which is better the enormous stress that is taking years of my life or leaving to get a breath of fresh air”.   Even little things like working on your resume or jobs online can make you feel empowered enough to say “the hell with you and everyone who looks like you”.

4. Meet with others within your team and probe them to see if they feel the same way.  However be very careful because scum buckets could use this against you by going behind your back.  I know someone who met with 5 people in her group who wanted to go to HR about a really bad Director they worked for.  The end results was that 4 of the 5 people were transferred out of the department to really bad jobs they did not want.

5. Finally..the best advice comes from Michael Corleone (aka The Godfather).  Don’t get angry at your enemies, it clouds your judgement.  Remain calm and tactful and above all use logic over emotion.

 

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