Dealing with the Big Bad Boss

Managers - is there such a thing as a a good manager? A colleague once said that there are two types of managers: micro-managers and macro-managers. In my opinion, there are two types of managers - bad ones and worse ones.

SIGNS OF A BAD BOSS

Doesn't trust employees

Doesn't respect employees

Doesn't give/take feedback

Doesn't involve employees in tough processes

Is rude to employees

Intimidates employees

Doesn't believe in work/family balance

Gives too many tasks and impossible-to-meet deadlines

Sounds familiar, everyone? What happens when we do have a boss like this? Here are some interesting ways to deal with a difficult boss.

1. It's not you, it's him. That's your mantra, folks. Keep chanting!

2. Sing a little song in your head and learn to tune him out, when you can. Go to your happy place. Think of your wonderful cave, with Mr Schue (Glee) in tight, sexy jeans.

3. BEWARE THE SPOUSE. No matter how nice the boss's husband/wife is, remember this - there is a reason why your boss chose to marry this person. Any decent human being would have run screaming in the opposite direction. Besides, being friends with Hitler's wife does have a certain negative connotation to it, doesn't it?

4. Try not to engage yourself in a lengthy conversation/argument with your boss. No matter what you say, he is right and you are wrong. Keep that in mind during meetings and you won't feel your heart pounding so much with anger and you'll walk out of that meeting knowing that you took the 'high road'.

5. When he says things like 'you don't understand' or 'you're looking at it the wrong way', respond by asking him to SHOW you the right way. Be firm about this and if there are people around you during this conversation, ask them to join you and maybe together you can make sense of what your boss is saying. If all of you still fail to understand your boss's point, then something is definitely not right. This is when you need to go above his head and talk to his superior. This will only work if all of you stick together. Remember, solidarity is stronger than bullies!

6. Finally, you must remember that you will eventually find another job. You really will. And you may still be sane if you can find something else fast enough.

May the Gods of Employment bless us this time!