Your boss or immediate manager, supervisor, whatever...

[Warped9]

Have you ever or do you presently have a boss, manager or supervisor who is...less than admirable in character?

Presently I have one who is a little weasel. He's not good with challenge or confrontation so he'll walk and find some way of undermining you indirectly or stabbing you in the back. He likes to put on the air of being in charge, but he really doesn't have the innate self-confidence to support it. He'll sometimes give fair praise and yet more often his words seem to carry a vague hint of reprisal.

He certainly thinks nothing of torpedoing someone he may be in competition with to get what he wants. He will repeat or report things about others and put them out of context or in the worst possible light to gain an advantage rather than have the confidence to rely on his own abilities.

And often when he's around a lot of folks feel on edge or put off by him. He's not good at inspiring trust and confidence. I've never heard him apologize to anyone for anything.

What is really sad is that at heart he isn't a bad person, but that he cannot manage his weaknesses (and we all have weaknesses). As such they often get the better of him and turn those who might be inclined to support him to turn away from him. He certainly isn't one to loosen up and not take himself so seriously either.

Most days things are routine and it's tolerable. But it's always there and comes to the fore often enough. I'm sometimes surprised that I don't bleed from the mouth from biting my tongue to avoid a pointless argument that would solve nothing. That said I have had occasional frank discussions with him, but in the long wrong it has added up to nothing.

 

[LitmusDragon]

To word it as carefully as possible, lets just say that I may or may not have had a boss in the recent past who was unable to differentiate between what he imagined was a real event, and what was an actual event. Not a very empirical guy, you might say. Was this frustrating? Yes, one might say it was frustrating.

To give you an example- "Boy, it's slow today!" Because he was having a slow day, therefore everyone else must be having a slow day too.

 

[backstept]

I had a boss who had no idea how to do his job, let alone any of the other jobs in the company. He once told me and the others in my department to 'multitask' so we could get more done. Apparently he had no idea what multitasking was, because our job was typesetting business cards, and he wanted us to work on more than one at a time. This is impossible because we would have to switch between different files on the computer in order to 'multitask' and it would be slower than finishing one and moving to the next . . .

bosses, supervisors etc should know at least the bare minimum of what's involved in their subordinate's jobs . . . it's a futile endeavor to try and manage something you know nothing about

[edit] working two jobs now I have a bunch of bosses
my boss at Day-Job is great, he knows everything about the company . . . he practically is the company. No complaints other than he works too hard (not exactly a bad thing )
my managers at Walmart are okay . . . sometimes it seems like they don't really care about what goes on in the store. Tuesday I had a manager ask me to go to the back room to pull freight out to the floor for the night crew. I was the only associate in Electronics so I said no. They weren't happy. Next time I'll be a good peon and go do it . . . I'll let them sweat over unhappy customers and increased shrink.

 

[creek_chub]

It definitely sucks to be in that kind of a situation, I really feel or you. I've been in that position a time or two myself and the only thing I could do was just do my job to the best of my ability and not get involved with any of the drama that inevitably follows those types of people.

 

[Holdfast]

I'm my own boss these days, thank goodness, but a few years ago I had an awful immediate supervisor. They were extremely scatty, lacked focus/clarity of thought, was a poor manager of people, abrasive in style, and did not resolve conflict well. I rapidly lost any respect for their management abilities.

It was a time-limited appointment, so I served my time professionally (with, admittedly, some significant disagreement both verbally and through my actions) and then moved onto pastures new, while simultaneously successfully advising other colleagues thinking of applying to it, to avoid that post like the plague. Consequence being that that particular supervisor did not have anyone in what had been my job for at least two years after I left and had to work much harder themselves as a result. That is enough payback for me to be quietly satisfied!

 

[iguana_tonante]

a few years ago I had an awful immediate supervisor. They were extremely scatty, lacked focus/clarity of thought, was a poor manager of people, abrasive in style, and did not resolve conflict well.

We might have worked at the same place. Or the world is full of the same horrible people everywhere.

 

[Aragorn]

The main boss is a kiss-ass and save-ass, but he does know what he's doing, to the point where asking others for their opinion is mere lip service because he's already made up his mind.

The assistant boss that technically I fall under isn't qualified for his position. He means well, but he tends to make things worse. He only has the position because someone else declined and it was either give it to him or eliminate the position all together.

 

[Lord Garth]

I used to. I wrote a mock eHow article on it:

How to Become a Toxic Boss


It took an abundance of time and effort to brown nose whoever promoted you into a managerial position. Sociologists may label this fine art as promoting one to their level of incompetence but what do they know? Why let someone beneath you think they can get ahead just by quickly learning skills, techniques, and methods that become outdated at an increasing rate while you took the time to find out who to know instead of what to know? Your approach is never outdated. You were the one who made it ahead so bask in your glory. Revel in it. Continue to impress your superiors and make sure to let your subordinates, your inferiors, know exactly where they stand which is, and always will be, underneath you.

Instructions


1. "It’s your fault!" needs to be your mantra as a Toxic Boss. Should a problem arise, and if knowledge spreads beyond your jurisdiction and/or authority, there must be someone to hold accountable while keeping your job, reputation, and standing secure. Whoever you assign accountability to must never be given a chance to defend themselves, beyond a token effort where you already determined who is at fault. Due process is your enemy.

2. Micromanagement is your friend. Since your subordinates are your inferiors they are by definition incapable of accomplishing a task as well as you. Any procedure that deviates from yours must be wrong. If a subordinate makes an attempt to explain then they are merely searching for excuses to explain or mitigate their inadequacy. To minimize inadequacies, question and inspect all the work of all your employees; they still have a lot to learn before they reach your level of skill so use the limited time you grace their presence with to its maximum affect.


3. Make sure you prioritize. Always micromanage when you are around because you cannot always be around. You cannot have time to perform your responsibilities if you are always performing your subordinates’. Explain you would love to be around more but you have too much to do. Sometimes the tasks of your position are overwhelming so delegate said tasks to supervisors who report directly to you and take all necessary time away from the task to relax your mind so you can handle your responsibilities again whenever or if ever you find an optimal time. Leisure activities include taking the day(s) off, an extended lunch break, or fraternizing with your friends and colleagues. Turning those above you into your friends is always your top priority.

4. Manage Expectations. Do not give your staff the impression they can grow beyond the parameters of whatever you offer them. If they advance too far, they will become a threat to your position; it is too much of a risk to not assume they desire it. Also make sure your clients do next expect more from you than you are willing to provide. Take corrective action against your staff if they attempt to change what the cliental will expect.


5. Selectively respond to questions and feedback. You need not explain yourself or your rationale to those who work under you. Do not respond if you decide they do not need to have an answer. Should you decide they need an answer that you cannot provide, be cryptic. Otherwise feel free to respond however you wish and say their comments are appreciated. Always have an answer prepared for a superior.

6. Always spin to your advantage. Never say anything that makes you or what you represent look unfavorable. When dealing with an unfavorable situation that cannot be blamed on someone else, make it sound less objectionable or deflect the topic altogether by changing the subject. When deflection or embellishments are not options, simply do not comment. If you must comment, cannot change the subject, and there is no positive way to spin the situation, please apologize. You do not need to be sincere.

 

[Warped9]

I used to. I wrote a mock eHow article on it:

How to Become a Toxic Boss


It took an abundance of time and effort to brown nose whoever promoted you into a managerial position. Sociologists may label this fine art as promoting one to their level of incompetence but what do they know? Why let someone beneath you think they can get ahead just by quickly learning skills, techniques, and methods that become outdated at an increasing rate while you took the time to find out who to know instead of what to know? Your approach is never outdated. You were the one who made it ahead so bask in your glory. Revel in it. Continue to impress your superiors and make sure to let your subordinates, your inferiors, know exactly where they stand which is, and always will be, underneath you.

Instructions


1. "It’s your fault!" needs to be your mantra as a Toxic Boss. Should a problem arise, and if knowledge spreads beyond your jurisdiction and/or authority, there must be someone to hold accountable while keeping your job, reputation, and standing secure. Whoever you assign accountability to must never be given a chance to defend themselves, beyond a token effort where you already determined who is at fault. Due process is your enemy.

2. Micromanagement is your friend. Since your subordinates are your inferiors they are by definition incapable of accomplishing a task as well as you. Any procedure that deviates from yours must be wrong. If a subordinate makes an attempt to explain then they are merely searching for excuses to explain or mitigate their inadequacy. To minimize inadequacies, question and inspect all the work of all your employees; they still have a lot to learn before they reach your level of skill so use the limited time you grace their presence with to its maximum affect.


3. Make sure you prioritize. Always micromanage when you are around because you cannot always be around. You cannot have time to perform your responsibilities if you are always performing your subordinates’. Explain you would love to be around more but you have too much to do. Sometimes the tasks of your position are overwhelming so delegate said tasks to supervisors who report directly to you and take all necessary time away from the task to relax your mind so you can handle your responsibilities again whenever or if ever you find an optimal time. Leisure activities include taking the day(s) off, an extended lunch break, or fraternizing with your friends and colleagues. Turning those above you into your friends is always your top priority.

4. Manage Expectations. Do not give your staff the impression they can grow beyond the parameters of whatever you offer them. If they advance too far, they will become a threat to your position; it is too much of a risk to not assume they desire it. Also make sure your clients do next expect more from you than you are willing to provide. Take corrective action against your staff if they attempt to change what the cliental will expect.


5. Selectively respond to questions and feedback. You need not explain yourself or your rationale to those who work under you. Do not respond if you decide they do not need to have an answer. Should you decide they need an answer that you cannot provide, be cryptic. Otherwise feel free to respond however you wish and say their comments are appreciated. Always have an answer prepared for a superior.

6. Always spin to your advantage. Never say anything that makes you or what you represent look unfavorable. When dealing with an unfavorable situation that cannot be blamed on someone else, make it sound less objectionable or deflect the topic altogether by changing the subject. When deflection or embellishments are not options, simply do not comment. If you must comment, cannot change the subject, and there is no positive way to spin the situation, please apologize. You do not need to be sincere.

Holy shit! You must know my supervisor!

 

[Lookingglassman]

I work for the army as a civilian and my boss is always the first sergeant of the unit I work with. They only stay around from 1 to 2 years so if I get one I hate all I have to do is wait him out and he will eventually be gone.

The current first sergeant I work with now is great. He is mean as the devil and curses everybody out who gets in his way, but he is fair as heck and does his best to help out the other Soldiers. He treats me real good.

 

[MacLeod]

I may have a crazy ideas of how to be a semi-decent manager. but here goes.

1.>Train my subordinates to do their job and leave them to it.

2.>Train my subordinates to do as many jobs as possible.

3.>Keep them informed about the company's latest ideas/aspirations

4.>And of course treat them how you would expect to be treated.

 

[captcalhoun]

i no longer have a boss as i no longer have a job.

that said, the last three managers were assholes to one degree or another and the old supervisor was a complete pain in the ass who couldn't delegate to save her life.

the current manager where i used to work, decided she didn't like any of the staff after less than a month in the job and told the current super she wasn't interested in being friends with anyone.

the one before her, was a lazy prick who never got stuff done.

the one before him, was a bitch who was probably thieving and managed to let the shop be robbed of £3K after the dozy moo left her key to the safe on the desk in the office with the doors open. how she didn't get the sack is beyond me.

and the area manager's a bitch too.

 

[Thena]

I had a boss who encouraged employees to pick on each other. She also got into verbal altercations in front of customers. On one such occasion, I walked away from her to go help a customer and she continued to yell at me from across the room.

The final straw was when she hired an employee that assaulted an assistant manager in front of customers, prompting someone to call the police. After all that, my boss claimed that she could see no valid reason for firing this person. The only solution she could give us was to start carrying cell phones with us at work so we could call 911 if we were attacked by a coworker.

 

[Warped9]

It can be depressing to the point of distraction. I've had some wonderful superiors over the years and when I look back I find myself missing them terribly. They were knowledgeable, very competent, fair minded and approachable. They could be stern when needed, but they felt almost like a friend. They inspired confidence and respect.

I can't say that in all good faith with my present superiors, most specifically my immediate supervisor. There are days I really can't stand the sound of his voice, particularly his laugh, and I burn with the urge to punch his lights out...or at least really put him in his place. He is such a little chicken shit.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I may have a crazy ideas of how to be a semi-decent manager. but here goes.

1.>Train my subordinates to do their job and leave them to it.

2.>Train my subordinates to do as many jobs as possible.

3.>Keep them informed about the company's latest ideas/aspirations

4.>And of course treat them how you would expect to be treated.

Oh, if only this would catch on!

I'm a freelancer these days, which means I only have to deal with difficult clients, which ends when the project ends. I can totally tough it out for a few months.

Having to take orders from someone I wanted to poke with a pair of rusty scissors was another thing. Knowing that I'd be stuck hearing them drone on months after month was enough to make me jump ship.

 

[Trekker4747]

Everything must be 100% perfect at all times! No mistakes! If you make a mistake you're incompetent and will be yelled at and told to get your head out of your ass on the sales floor! Oh, and by my calculations by November 2021 I will be working by myself in my department and making $200K a week in sales. Since my manager expects a certain percentage increase every week over the same week last year (not unreasonable) but also a decrease in hours. Which... Yeah I'm not sure how that's supposed to work.

Anyway, before too long I'll be working back there all by myself 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, doing all of the production, customer service and paper work.

 

[Timby]

I have no complaints about the structure in my current office (while my immediate supervisor is a bit of a goober, he's an intelligent, experienced and well-meaning goober), but at my last office, the CEO (I was the #3 guy in the office) was an egomaniacal sociopath. His oft-repeated mantra was, "Do you want to be right, or do you want to win?"

 

[Trekker4747]

Mine's mantra: "Plan your work and work your plan."

Thanks Dale Carnegie.

Oh wait, I can't work my plan because I'm understaffed (but perfectly staffed by your standards) and hardly have time as it is to do my bookwork.

 

[backstept]

BOSS - OK, how many people do we need to run the department?
MINION - Preferably four
BOSS - Good, you can have two, but get as much done as if there were four of you.

 

[Timby]

Mine's mantra: "Plan your work and work your plan."

Thanks Dale Carnegie.

Oh wait, I can't work my plan because I'm understaffed (but perfectly staffed by your standards) and hardly have time as it is to do my bookwork.

Well, you work at a corporation that, employee-owned or not, like many is basically defined by planning and procedures. Large companies like that are bound to value procedure over real sense.

In their minds, your ability to manage the department while understaffed is a test to see how you handle adversity.