It’s possible that your boss really is an incompetent, self-serving, disrespectful micro-manager who couldn’t organize a good game of Monopoly. But hating your boss won’t advance your career.
—
In your opinion they couldn’t organize a good game of Monopoly, let drive success in the company that supports your livelihood.
|
The smell of cheap coffee and even cheaper body spray fills the room and the hair on the back of your neck stands up. You know exactly what is coming. You can feel the signature mix of incompetence and arrogance infusing the room as your boss walks in. You know that after this conversation you will either have more work to do — work that is not in your job description, you’ll feel as though you can’t possibly do enough, or you’ll be back online looking for a better job.
◊♦◊
You have known it for a long time. This boss has no business leading a company, not even one division of a company. In your opinion they couldn’t organize a good game of Monopoly, let drive success in the company that supports your livelihood.
Why is it so easy to hate them?
They are Incompetent
They misinterpret the numbers, they don’t understand what it takes to create success, or they get by with anything just because they are related to someone in leadership! Working for someone who knows less than they should, and even worse, won’t admit it, is infuriating! Your incompetent boss is a huge morale killer. They look good when you work hard and you look bad when they fail, right?
Wrong. Incompetence is usually hidden behind a veil of excuses. “Jim didn’t hit his numbers” or “Stephanie just isn’t a team player” are excuses that require a little more looking in to from their leadership. Don’t let this incompetence get to you. If you can see it, it’s probably obvious from all perspectives.
They are Self Centered
For this boss, it is all about them. They don’t care about the future of the company as much as they care about their new haircut. If this person could make a living smiling into the mirror, they would. They don’t listen to you, or anyone else, they don’t see the big picture, and they don’t care about your needs. You should just quit, right?
No way. You can completely work this boss over without jeopardizing your job! This boss is really easy to outsmart because they don’t spend much time thinking about anything other than themselves. In this article in The Huffington Post, Roya R. Rad offers several options for dealing with this jerk. All of which will keep you employed.
Remember that most of what they are saying is for their own benefit. It really has no bearing on you. Take a deep breath, smile, and “just say no.” If saying no is a problem then you need Boundaries, the book. You will learn exactly how to handle this person and keep your job.
They Over Manage
I like to call this the Arizona One-Step, unless it happens in California. Then it’s the California One-Step. There are at least 48 other versions of this dance, but I think you get the point. This person must have their hands in every step of the process, leaving you frustrated and leaderless.
If you become a leader in life you will become a leader in your job, guaranteed!
|
Why leaderless?
Because your leader is much too busy managing to lead. Michael Hyatt made the distinction between a leader and a manager in his podcast This is Your Life, and it is helpful to know the difference.
Leaders serve and set examples. Managers tell people what to do. Which is a huge advantage to you if you know how to be a leader, because it means that no matter what the title on their desk, shirt, smock or register says, you have the option to be a leader by serving and setting examples. If you become a leader in life you will become a leader in your job, guaranteed!
They are Disrespectful
OK, this one makes you want to swear like Samir from Office Space, I get it. They have no right to say the things they say, or do the things they do. So you run to tell your buddy how lucky the boss is that you didn’t just … then the boss walks in! Anyone who deals with this would get angry, right?
You can get angry, but there are more effective ways to deal with it. I witnessed this one first hand. This is the best magic trick I have ever seen in my life, and I learned it while watching the best comedy I have ever seen in my life! There are two action steps in this one, but first you have to get your mind right.
They are rude or disrespectful because of something they are embarrassed over, or feel inadequate about, every time. Once you know this, you can let them know you know this using two simple facial expressions.
- The smile-frown.
This is the look you get on your face when you learn something embarrassing about someone else. It’s a frown that is covering up a smile. It looks like you would laugh if you didn’t have that scowl on your face. Pretend they just told you, in their best Will Ferrell voice, that they sleep with a giant teddy bear. Actually, they probably do!
- Big-eye
If the smile-frown brings out still more disrespect, then it’s time to go for the big guns. Add the “big-eye” to the “smile-frown” for a look that usually comes after someone has told you the most embarrassing thing you have ever heard. The eyebrows go up, the face gets longer, and you walk away as soon as you know they have recognized your expression for what it is. They think you can read minds. They think you found them out. They won’t be so likely to show you disrespect again!
◊♦◊
Of course, we could add that hate never breeds anything but hate, and it will only bring you down to their level, but you already knew all that, right?
|
These are just a few ways that you can manage poor management. Let these actions and thoughts guide you while you are dealing with your boss. They might be easy to hate, it might even be kind of fun to complain about how bad they are (especially if you’re part of a boss-bashing group.) But there are two powerful reasons to choose to appreciate them instead.
Of course, we could add that hate never breeds anything but hate, and it will only bring you down to their level, but you already knew all that, right? So here are two things you may not have thought of.
Good Places Don’t Keep Bad People
This person is the litmus test for your job! If your company is OK with a boss who consistently displays any of these traits, then you are in the wrong place. You are a rock star! (If you aren’t then you need to take a good look at becoming one.) So go work with rock stars. If your company is up to par then this won’t last long. Either way, you will be ahead and prepared for the next reason you should not hate your boss.
Having a Bad Boss is the Best Leadership Class You Could Take
And you’re getting paid to take it! When I am coaching clients, I tell them to look for the learning opportunities in situations just like this. You are getting paid to learn exactly how not to lead. Take notes! Don’t ever forget what not to do, because the knowledge you are gaining now will be what you use to become the best leader ever. You should probably thank them. Who knows, you may get the chance to lead them one day. (Then you can tell them to cut down on the cheap body spray! Smile-frown with big-eye!)
—
Photo: Flickr/Kumar Appaiah
This is true, No matter how good or bad your bosses are, you will surely gain something that will help you to become a better person. Because sometimes God uses them to mold your character.
Could you come in to work Saturday? Yeahhhhh, that would be great.