What to Do if Your Boss Drives You Crazy

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice •


Sometimes, you may have to tolerate a boss who drives you crazy. Reasons for putting up with your boss may vary, such as the job is a great one, you absolutely adore the company, or you need this job to pay the bills. Discover three types of difficult bosses and how to deal with each of them.

1. Bully

If your boss is a bully, he probably yells at you or berates you in front of co-workers. Bullying does not just happen in person, it can also occur through email or text.

First, try handling a bullying manager by confronting him when he's calm. Kindly knock on his door during a quiet moment of the day, and ask if he has a spare moment to speak with you. Bring up your concerns in a polite, gentle manner, yet remain assertive. This lets your boss know this is a serious situation that needs addressing. Talking to your manager makes him aware that his bullying attitude is affecting your work. Make it clear to your boss that you cannot tolerate the behavior.

2. Narcissist

A narcissist boss only cares about himself and how others perceive him. You might realize your boss does not care about your professional development or your work concerns. You may also come to realize that he only cares about how your work impacts him and how his boss perceives him. This type of supervisor could try to take credit for your work, pass blame on to other people when something goes wrong, or reject any kind of constructive criticism.

If you're facing this situation, consider volunteering to take on other assignments in a different department. Try to impress a supervisor on another team by doing your best to get that person's attention. After a while, consider making a lateral move to the other department if a position that matches your skills and experience becomes available. You want a boss that values your input and supports your growth. If your narcissistic boss is holding you back, take your time and plan your next move carefully, whether you decide to move up with your current employer or find a new opportunity with a different company.

3. Absentee

An absentee manager rarely responds to your concerns and does not put the needs of the team high on his list of priorities. Your supervisor might simply be too busy handling other tasks. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about an absentee boss who is always busy because he has a demanding supervisor.

Instead of relying on your absentee boss, become self-motivated. Go with your gut and experience in challenging situations. Ask your colleagues for advice. If necessary, get the approval of someone else in authority.

If your boss continuously drives you crazy despite your best efforts to deal with him, consider seeking a more positive and fulfilling work environment. How would you handle a difficult boss?
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  • Debbie M.
    Debbie M. •

    Today with over 40 years in government and private work environment I see a lot of waste concerning management leadership and an exceptional high rate of tolerance existing amongst decision makers due to the inability to maintain a supportive labor force. There appear to be an increasing number of managers who lack competencies for developing staff and informing policy makers on clear adequate and effective directions. What I am seeing today in the work place too many decision makers worried about making the decisions instead of implementing the right decision. With the before mentioned we are experiencing high number of occupational stress related mental illnesses due to management not related to the job specifications held. Unfortunately, this increases the entity inability to maintain going concern due to deficiencies in operations and under values education due to abuses of power. The question is "Is an employee net worth affected by an abusive environment?" Can an employee afford an abusive work environment? What are the short and long range impact of working in a abusive work environment? Lastly, what does "psychoneuroimmunology mean?

  • Teri P.
    Teri P. •

    I listen when I am talked too. I do not aurgue. However I prefer to handle things in private. I have had only 2 misunderstandings in which I was not in the wrong. If it is my fault I would ask for forgiveness and a chance to improve. If there is a misunderstanding I try to make it clear to what happened. I feel commutation is very important. Respect is very important. I have managed and I create a team that all has input to improve how we can better our work flow. It created a strong bond and a trust we have to a open cummication to be a team. Start every morning to ask one question. How can we improve what we are doing? I want everyone’s input. If someone is asked by me to go to our newer photographer to help them it is as if it was me telling them how to improve their images. Had one that did not listen and the crew forced me to talk to her right then. I really was hoping to let it be at the end of the day. However a customer was upset. I was kind to her but knew it would make her cry and I was as nice about as I could. She did not understand I had sent 3 photographs to help her. So I just said if someone comes to talk to you, it is as if it was me. She hugged my neck and took sometime to pull it together and the everything was good the rest of the day.

  • jpseph richard l.
    jpseph richard l. •

    first be first not last ..everyone has needs .peoples are different in theirs behavior be a gladiator in every situation your attitudes play a big role cause some peoples around you. accept to be hit but give respect a big score .we all have soft spots.

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