ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > May > 07 > Entry
Love or hate your boss?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bullying, incompetence, power hunger, harassment and privacy invasion are just a few characteristics of a bad boss.
Sometimes bosses bully their employees in the hopes of achieving better results. Little do they know, that they could be doing more harm than good.
How do you deal with this? Be professional not emotional.
Have an unemotional discussion with your boss about disagreements rather than a confrontation.
Be sure to get a clear objective from your boss on tasks that are ambiguous.
Handle a tough boss with professionalism, document everything, have an objective eye on your performance and use positive reinforcement for positive behavior.
These actions should stop the behavior and allow a change to occur.
Are you constantly having to prove yourself, then not getting any credit for your hard work? Or does your boss reward your best efforts?
Is your boss an impossible tyrant or saint?
Comments
By Jenny
May 8, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
My boss is the devil! He is overpowering and always claims my work to be his own. I feel like I can’t say much though because my job pays really well.
By Findmeanewjob
May 8, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
My boss is not really that bad. Just depends on what kind of mood she is in. Her moods change with the wind. I have had worst though… My last boss was the boss from hell…. She actually had horns too….
By E. Lewis
May 8, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
It depends on who you are really.
By Beth
May 8, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
There’s nothing worse than to work for a micromanager who is also incompetent. I’ve been coming in earlier than she does just so I don’t have to be around her as much. Thankfully, my job allows me to spend time out of the office. I’ve been doing a lot of that, too. She always looks like she’s on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I’d love to see that happen.
By Marie
May 8, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
I’m with Jenny. My boss is the devil and I have sold my soul to the devil because of the salary. He does have moments of niceness, but then his evil side takes over and he starts throwing phones across the room and screaming at me and everyone else for mistakes he has made. I’m usually on pins and needles waiting for him to go ballistic over something I can’t foresee or have no control over. I deal with it by being indifferent. I don’t cry over it, since I know that I haven’t done anything wrong and know that he is just insane. I do feel stress and anxiety at times though. Our company has less than 10 people, so he constantly reminds everyone here that normal labor laws (harassment, etc.) don’t apply to us.
By
May 8, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
I worked with a woman who was considerably younger than I was and therfore had less experience. She made my life hell and probably all those around her. She wanted to micromanage every single thing. I knew it was a matter of time when she called me at the cemetary during a family funeral.
By Wookin' Pnub
May 8, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
A SAINT! I have the BEST boss. Not only does he NOT micro-manage, he has recently given me a break on the gas crisis by allowing me to work from home 2-3 days a week. He trusts me, respects me, and knows I will do whatever it takes to get it done. I feel that I am rewarded for my hard work and dedication.
By Steph
May 8, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
The doctor that I work for has a major God complex. He’s quite intelligent, and can be easy to get along with. BUT, when he gets into his mood….LOOKOUT!
We’ve thought of different remedies….Lithium in his coffee…going postal….leaving our job (that wouldn’t do any good, he’s had his entire office staff walk out twice), you get the idea. Instead, we attempt to combat it with telling him how we feel, ignoring it, or laughing it off.
Anyone have any other suggestions?
By G
May 8, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
Neither one. He’s just a good boss, and I’m grateful to have him.
I’ve never had a boss who’s a saint, but I have had a few demons over the years. Micromanagement, utter lack of trust in anyone other than themselves, total humorlessness, arrogance, utterly uncaring about the effects of their decisions on others, letting their emotions rule their decision-making instead of logic, and so on.
Decent human consideration for workers makes for loyalty and employees who’ll go the extra mile. Idiots who only see workers as commodities to be managed ignore the motivation factor at their own peril.
By Truthfully
May 8, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
SAINT ALl day everyday. I couldnt have asked for a better working relationship. My previous manager was not terrible but also was not the best. The relationship issue there was the open door policy was in effect however you felt uncomfrtable as heck walking through it. Whereas now.. if it is broke he does what needs to be done to fix it. A lot of times he rectifies issues before it is even know to the rest of the world that a problem has occured. I say my boss for President. He is self sufficent, and will ask for help not give demands an bark orders. Everyday leaves the oiffice with a thank you. COmes in with a smile whther he feels it or not. And is open and honest about all of the dpets happenings. Others keep their people in the dark he makes sure I am aware of it all. And it his wife is as nice as she wants to be too. And makes sure to keep him in order. You know what they say.. behind every good man is a good woman. My boss for president. LOL
By "T"
May 8, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
I am convinced my boss has a personality disorder. I have only been here 4 months and I have already put in a 2 week notice. He is a bully,he is incompetent and he loves to wait until clients are in the office to humiliate you. He also wants all the attention. You are not allowed to have a pleasant conversation unless he is involved. He also forced me to watch porn from his computer. I guess he thought I would like it. Trust me he was wrong. The worst thing about him is that he actually owns the company.
By Amy
May 8, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
Saint! My bosses are the most respectful MEN I have ever been around. They have taught me a lot about dealing with people - ignorant people, arrogant people, etc. They are respectful when mistakes are made, which makes me want to work harder! They are grateful and point out when you do a good job. Never had that before! It has been an oasis from a career full of hateful, egomaniac or just poor people skills bosses. And to top it off - THEY’RE LAWYERS!
By Shh!
May 8, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this
My boss is just an idiot. No really, he is. He “forgets” to pay us ontime, doesn’t have a life outside of work and thinks none of us should either, and he has a “thang” on the side that he thinks none of us knows about but ALL of us know about. We can get away with anything in the office and he’s oblivious to it. I’ve noticed our workload is dwindling and he’s not getting new jobs in and the business is beginning to suffer tremendously. I think it’s time for me to find a job where people actually like showing up for work. This place is driving me NUTZ!