Have a Bad Boss? Do This

Have you ever worked for a bad boss? We mean really bad, the kind that makes you want to tear your hair out, or quit, or both. Nearly everyone has at some point, including us! In fact, we’ll share a few of those experiences in today's episode—plus some from our listeners.

So what should you do when your boss is really insufferable?

In our experience a bad boss can do incredible damage to morale, productivity, and even the emotional health of the team. The good news is that there are ways to deal with the situation. We’ve got tips that will enable you thrive (not just survive) in a less-than-ideal work environment.

Oh, and if you are a boss, as many of our listeners are, there’s something here for you too. Use these insights to reverse-engineer your leadership and be sure you’re not exhibiting any “bad boss” behaviors.

Here’s a peek inside the show—

  • We each share our worst boss experiences, including one that led me (Megan) to quit after two weeks and another brought me (Michael) to offer up a resignation.
  • Using bad boss stories from several listeners, we share tips and insights for dealing with the Undercommunicator, Mr. Fudge-the-Numbers, Ms. Insecure, and other types of bad bosses.
  • We’ll define the difference between a boss who simply lacks self-awareness and one who is unethical or immoral—with tips for how to respond to each.
  • You’ll learn specifically how the Enneagram and other personality assessments can benefit anyone in leadership—including you, if you’re a boss.
  • We’ll give you some insight on when and how to confront a boss, depending on the severity of the situation.
  • We’ll also define some parameters for when to confront a bad boss and when to report his or her behavior straight to human resources.
  • We’ll show you which circumstances may call for your resignation on ethical grounds—and which don’t.
  • You’ll get a handle on when it’s best to support your boss in public as you confront in private—and when you need to escalate the situation.
  • Best of all, we’ll show you the one way you can profit from any boss experience, no matter how bad it may be.

We really think this episode is going to be a game changer for frustrated employees, and for some leaders who may lack self-awareness. Whichever role you’re in, team member or leader, these insights will make your work environment less stressful and more productive.

Share the Love

If you’re loving this podcast (and we hope you are!), take a minute right now to write a brief review on iTunes. That really helps keep the show visible to other leaders so they can benefit from it too. And it just takes a few seconds. If you’re not sure how to find the review page, click here for a simple tutorial. Thanks so much.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode