Who’s your boss
I’m working on a segment about toxic bosses for the CBS Early Show on Saturday. Considering how many of you write to me about your jackass of a boss, I figure this little crib sheet may be of help.
Frat/Jokester Boss: This is the boss who makes jokes at your expense and/or puts you down with a joke.
Solution: The jokester boss is an interesting breed in that he likes to give it out but not take it. The best way to put a stop to this behavior is to give it right back (it’s a joke after all, right?) He’s likely to find an easier, more compliant target.
Best Friend Boss: This is the boss who shares way too much about her life and expects you to show up at her house for dinner once a week.
Solution: This is a tough one because she’s so emotionally attached to you. You have to wean her off by slowly not being available one week and then the week after, until she’s found a replacement (hopefully out of the office).
Non-paying Boss: This is the boss who thinks you’re well-paid at 50% less than the national average for your industry.
Solution: In this case you have to present your efforts around her bottom line – how much money you’re making for her– so that she can clearly see what it’s going to cost her if you walk away. I’d also get your feelers out there and start looking for a new job.
Passive-Aggressive Boss: This is the boss who doesn’t actually confront you if you’ve disappointed or underperformed for her, but instead punishes you with the silent treatment and excludes you from important meetings.
Solution: This boss is afraid of confrontation so the best way to handle her is to, you guessed it, confront her. Nicely of course. Start with “Is there something I could have done differently?” and then watch her squirm.
Non-existent Boss: This is the boss who is never around (usually on the golf course or salon) to give support, constructive criticism or direction and leaves everyone floundering.
Solution: Either take up golf or get ready to communicate via technology. Create urgent or result-sounding emails that will get his attention and wait for a response.
Mind Reading Boss: This is the boss who gives you a one word explanation of what he needs and expects you to come back with exactly what’s in the depths of his mind to perfection.
Solution: You have to take the lead on this one with your boss. The best way to get inside his head is to ask for an example– this will give you a standard and a starting point. This is also very important: two thirds of the way there, bring it to him and show him where you are in case you’re way off track. It may piss him off, but it’s better than wasting hours of your time (both for you and for him).
Name-calling Boss: This is the boss who tells you his five-year-old could have done a better job than you.
Solution: This is a classic bullying move and honestly you either have to call him out, decide not to take it personally (although, if he’s only directing it toward you, chances are it’s personal), or move on.
Over-the-shoulder Boss: This is the boss who micro-manages you: looks at the clock when you come in and leave and actually dictates your emails for you.
Solution: Your best bet with this boss is to build some trust in the hopes of her backing off. Over-perform and she’ll realize you don’t need to be babysat.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Today I swore to my co-worker that I’d seek out an article on bad boss behavior (in my case, micromanager + name-calling). The answer was in my email inbox the whole day! Thanks Nicole
June 25th, 2010 at 11:35 am
How about the “Do as I say, not as I do” boss? He doesn’t actually say that phrase but you get my gist!