Five Ways to Get Even with a Bad Boss
It's tempting to think about creating as much pain and suffering for your bad boss as he or she creates for you. But here's something you need to know: bad bosses are already in pain and suffering—that's why they strike out. Their private world is a place of misery for them and their outward signs of power and strength are nothing more than a mask to disguise their reality. They're playing the revenge game—striking out at you in an attempt to get even with the world because you appear to have what they want—knowledge; ability; confidence; security and/or happiness. There is only one thing you can do make your bad boss feel worse: show your bad boss that he or she can't take away from you those qualities that make you the person they envy.
Here's a list of five things you can do that will get the job done:
1. Be Better
Be a better person than your boss in all ways. Continue to develop professional and effective interpersonal skills. Work toward advancing in your career and becoming a good boss—learning what not to do from your bad boss. Be a cooperative colleague and realize that internal competition only gives your competitor's an advantage.
2. Be Popular
Get to know other people in your organization. Make sure the people who receive your work know you and understand that you are willing to listen and act on their concerns. Join and contribute information to professional organizations or constructive online groups that address your line of work. Become well-known by name and respected as someone trustworthy.
3. Be Indifferent
Ignore your boss's snide remarks; realize that your boss is really talking about herself or himself and chuckle privately at her or his self-revelation. Do not respond unless you are asked a direct question. If the question is insulting, do not respond to it directly; but ask another question, such as "How will this discussion help us reach our business goals?" Stay focused on your common interest, which is doing your job well.
4. Be Backed-up
Document every inappropriate thing your boss says or does. He or she gets away with it because there is no record of this bad behavior. Send memos to your boss, including her or his direct quotes, and ask if you've understood correctly. If your boss continues to behave badly after the first two memos, start copying someone in the Human Resources Department on these memos. When your boss tells you to stop writing things down, explain that writing is the best way for you to be sure you have understood correctly, and you want to be sure you are doing the right thing. This is often enough to make a bad boss leave you alone and find another target.
5. Be Happy
Nothing irks a bad boss more than seeing other people be genuinely happy. Find good things to talk about and share them with your colleagues to help create a pleasant work atmosphere. Compliment your co-workers and other managers in your organization. Always be polite, courteous and cooperative. Smile a lot while you are working. The best revenge is seeing your boss become even more dissatisfied as you become happier.
And live happily ever after.
Here's a list of five things you can do that will get the job done:
1. Be Better
Be a better person than your boss in all ways. Continue to develop professional and effective interpersonal skills. Work toward advancing in your career and becoming a good boss—learning what not to do from your bad boss. Be a cooperative colleague and realize that internal competition only gives your competitor's an advantage.
2. Be Popular
Get to know other people in your organization. Make sure the people who receive your work know you and understand that you are willing to listen and act on their concerns. Join and contribute information to professional organizations or constructive online groups that address your line of work. Become well-known by name and respected as someone trustworthy.
3. Be Indifferent
Ignore your boss's snide remarks; realize that your boss is really talking about herself or himself and chuckle privately at her or his self-revelation. Do not respond unless you are asked a direct question. If the question is insulting, do not respond to it directly; but ask another question, such as "How will this discussion help us reach our business goals?" Stay focused on your common interest, which is doing your job well.
4. Be Backed-up
Document every inappropriate thing your boss says or does. He or she gets away with it because there is no record of this bad behavior. Send memos to your boss, including her or his direct quotes, and ask if you've understood correctly. If your boss continues to behave badly after the first two memos, start copying someone in the Human Resources Department on these memos. When your boss tells you to stop writing things down, explain that writing is the best way for you to be sure you have understood correctly, and you want to be sure you are doing the right thing. This is often enough to make a bad boss leave you alone and find another target.
5. Be Happy
Nothing irks a bad boss more than seeing other people be genuinely happy. Find good things to talk about and share them with your colleagues to help create a pleasant work atmosphere. Compliment your co-workers and other managers in your organization. Always be polite, courteous and cooperative. Smile a lot while you are working. The best revenge is seeing your boss become even more dissatisfied as you become happier.
And live happily ever after.
