A Good Case of Nerves Beats Being Worried Sick by a Bad Boss
"In a work situation, [worrying] is actually a useful skill. Worrying can help us see things coming, and if that leads us to act, the worrying can be productive…"
When bad bosses worry, it's because they're afraid they might get caught doing things they're not supposed to be doing. When worry leads bad bosses to act, it leads them to become even worse bosses. Bad bosses are confident they can get away with cheating, stealing from their employers and abusing employees. Why are they so confident? Because, in corporations and non-profits, it's not their money they're wasting, and because bad bosses report to bosses who are so disinterested in the goings-on of the people below them that they never check in—thereby allowing bad bosses to get away with it.
So who worries in the workplace? Good employees who report to bad bosses. Good employees have more of a sense of stewardship to their employers than bad managers. They try to do the right thing and they risk having their professional reputations damaged for it. They're worried sick by their bosses. What to do?
"…stop and ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it right then and there."
There is. Work up a good case of nerves, update your resume and begin a job search immediately. Doing something positive for yourself wards off even the worst case of worries.
When bad bosses worry, it's because they're afraid they might get caught doing things they're not supposed to be doing. When worry leads bad bosses to act, it leads them to become even worse bosses. Bad bosses are confident they can get away with cheating, stealing from their employers and abusing employees. Why are they so confident? Because, in corporations and non-profits, it's not their money they're wasting, and because bad bosses report to bosses who are so disinterested in the goings-on of the people below them that they never check in—thereby allowing bad bosses to get away with it.
So who worries in the workplace? Good employees who report to bad bosses. Good employees have more of a sense of stewardship to their employers than bad managers. They try to do the right thing and they risk having their professional reputations damaged for it. They're worried sick by their bosses. What to do?
"…stop and ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it right then and there."
There is. Work up a good case of nerves, update your resume and begin a job search immediately. Doing something positive for yourself wards off even the worst case of worries.
