Some bosses are real stinkers. I’ve worked for a few myself. They are the ones you wonder how they fooled enough people to get hired. Or, they seem to get away with breaking the rules and offending just about everyone and STILL keep their jobs. These are not the people you have any affection or respect for. They are tolerated and catered to until 1) they leave, or 2) you leave.
Then there are the bosses you love to hate. Well, you really don’t hate them; they just have some quirks or traits that drive you up the wall. Or, they are demanding, in a good sort of way. These are the people who challenge you, make you accountable but still seem to come through at the end. If you’ve got a tough boss you think may fit in the first category, consider these next points and see if they might be a good guy in disguise.
1. They give you assignments above your level of expertise. At first glance, you may think the boss is just dumping projects on you that are too time consuming, boring or that she’s just not interested in. So what if you’ve never done pivot tables and the financial reports are due in a week? Or put together a webinar for 1,000 sales managers in Singapore? Your boss may be telling you she thinks you can do it. Or giving you a chance to test yourself and experience success.
2. They don’t communicate. I once had a boss who grunted more than talked. In the beginning it was frustrating, but I learned a great lesson on working with different communication styles and how to adapt my standards to accommodate differences and still form a good working relationship. People don’t always have to come around to your way of thinking.
3. They are loud and demanding. I had a boss who had some quirky habits. I wasn’t allowed to use paper clips--staples only to attach paper together. He also refused to sit in the middle seat of an airplane. He hated waiting in the airport for a flight, and would leave at the last minute so he could swoop in and walk right on the plane before they closed the doors. If he was upset, he would yell and scream. It may sound strange, but I learned what is often valued more than getting along with everyone is the quality of your work and value to the company. My boss was a financial and business strategy genius. This was not a license to be a jerk, but his occasional outbursts were nothing compared to his contributions.
4. They give honest feedback. They don’t let you get away with anything. They don’t criticize just to tear you down, but act as a mirror to gently reveal where you need improvement and then offer coaching and support to help you get there. Some of my toughest bosses gave me what I thought were the worst reviews, but were actually my biggest supporters. While you hate facing your own shortcomings, that type of feedback lets you in on what everyone already knows about you, and gives you a chance to make adjustments.
5. They set high standards, and expect you to live up to them. Following rules has never been my favorite pastime. One of my bosses used to tell his management team we were supposed to be a “force for good.” He was a real model of this force and expected the team to do the same in our departments. It made me learn discipline and to “color between the lines” in carrying out my responsibilities.
Do you have a boss you love to hate? What have you learned? Share in the Comments section below.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!