A ‘bad’ boss can make every work day uncomfortable at the least – or wreck your career and mar your life at the most. Your life and your career are in your hands. It’s up to you to make the most of them. Select and de-select your boss with care.
The best time to figure out whether you’re going to be working for a ‘good’ boss or a ‘bad’ boss is when you’re interviewing for a job. The second best time is during the first 21 days in a new job. In the first case, you can steer clear. In the second case, you can make a quick change.
There’s one simple way to tell if you’re working for a ‘bad’ boss. Yes, he may be narcissistic to the point of character flaw, he may treat people as ‘things,’ and he may use his employees as scapegoats. He may be aggressive or he may be passive-aggressive. He may be in a robotic trance or he may be a micro-manager.
Yet, all ‘bad’ bosses are seeking one of two things beneath the surface of behavior. Here ‘tis: control or attention.
Most ‘bad’ bosses fall into the category of ‘emotionally dysfunctional.’ Emotional dysfunction is characterized by one-dimensional reactions that can be described as either a high need for control or a high need for attention (to the exclusive of healthy, multi-dimensional responses).
Emotional dysfunction: You can see it, hear it and feel it. Turn on and tune in. Emotional dysfunction is almost impossible to change when managing ‘up.’ Here’s why: the need for control or attention circumvents reason, empathy and the higher-mind.
You, your life and your career matter. Let go and move through the experience of a ‘bad’ boss without clinging or aversion (HINT: This is an important point!).
It's up to you: Select and de-select your boss with care. Good luck.
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