Managing Monday Mornings – 20 ways to deal with a Really Bad Boss Part 2

Last week in Part I of dealing with a Really Bad Boss we advocated taking the high road because as difficult as it can be, rising above the noise and nonsense of a really bad boss can result in unparalleled personal and professional growth. Today in part 2, we’ll list five reader submitted, time tested suggestions for helping you do just that.   The key to surviving a really bad boss is tackling each day as it comes. Hopefully these tips will help you do that:

1. Work as though you have the best job and the best boss in the world– Cruel I know, but it works. Take it from me. Much like a relationship, when the thrill is gone from a job (if it was ever there to begin with) it’s really hard to make an effort, especially when the person on the receiving end is an ungrateful, unyielding, good for nothing… umm…boss. The truth is, when you bring your A game to every assignment, every meeting, every challenge, regardless of whether or not your boss notices, you’ll develop exceptional skills that will work wonders for you when you eventually move on to the job and boss that are perfect for you.  In your new digs, when everyone’s crumbling under pressure because the boss has a hang nail, you, having survived the incoherent ramblings of an intoxicated CEO, will be the picture of calm productivity, and for that, you’ll be elevated to rockstar status.
2.  Know you’re probably smarter than she is, and she knows it– Knowing you’re the smartest person in the room can provide you with a quiet confidence that belies your current circumstance.  As employees railed against mistreatments and the ridiculous antics at the hands of our really bad and stupid boss, I plugged away diligently at the tasks at hand, convinced that the degree hanging over her desk had been purchased from the nearby Goodwill store. When she created her own private system of mathematics rather than owning up to an error in her calculations, she confirmed my suspicions.  Her frustration upon being confronted with the error and her anger that she’d been found out, had me smiling widely…on the inside.  Which brings me to the next tip…
3. If you need your job, don’t let your boss know that you know, just  how bad he really is – In fact it’s a good idea not to discuss your boss’ shortcomings with colleagues either.  With the exception of Human Resources (except if your HR Manager is Mary), discussing your boss’  lack of mental ability at work is a bad idea.  You never know who you can trust.  A colleague laughing along with you at the boss’ new system of math, might be the first one at her door offering up the latest office gossip.  Also, oftentimes what makes a bad boss bad is his or her inability to accept anything but praise. Keep in mind, we’re talking about bad bosses here.  When a boss is really bad, feedback, even when given with the best intentions, is often unwelcomed and undigested. The exception to the rule about not discussing a bad boss with anyone is when your boss is involved in unethical or illegal behavior.  For those bosses, contacting the EEOC might be a good starting point.
4. Document everything – This suggestion was actually submitted by several readers. My guess is they’ve all been burned, as I have, by a boss saying one thing, doing another, then blaming them for the fallout.  On some occasions having an email confirming my boss’ instructions helped, on others it was (unbelievably) ignored. Nevertheless, having a paper trail to document that I’d followed instructions to the letter, gave me piece of mind. It’s a sad commentary on management when you’ve got to maintain a private dossier ala The Firm to avoid being thrown under the bus, but that’s the reality of business these days.  If you’re in a particularly bad situation, blind copy correspondence between yourself and your boss to your personal email (if it doesn’t contain private customer information.)  If it ever comes to the point where you’re escorted out of the office without a chance to gather your evidence effects – as I was - your personal email might turn out to be a life saver.
5. Take time away from the madness every day – This is a simple one, but most of us don’t do it. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, stepping outside to get some air, take a short walk or spend a few minutes mindlessly leafing through a magazine at the local drug store helps put the job and the boss in perspective.  There were many times when  my ability to find a single bright spot in my day made the difference between a good day and the day ending with me collapsing in the fetal position at my front door. When your boss is insane, every minute of sanity you can savor for yourself is worth it.

Next Monday:  Part 3 – Dealing with a Really Bad Boss – Watch everything he does, then do the opposite

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