Hello Reader,
There are two types of jerk bosses. Some don’t know they are jerks, and then there are those who relish being jerks.
Sometimes, people ask me, “How do I deal with a boss who’s a jerk.” Of course, the “right” answer is a typical consultant answer; it depends.
There are many factors to consider, like how imbalanced your relationship with them is. They likely have economic leverage over you, but you have the skills to neutralize or combat that.
Are they a nuisance, roll your eyes kind of a jerk, or totalitarian and abusive to the point you cry yourself to sleep at night?
Is it occasional? Usually, they’re fine, but anytime you request PTO, they treat it as a personal affront.
Are they brilliant but lack common civility?
The symptoms are virtually limitless. What you must not do is compromise your integrity and dignity. You must set the example, as hard as it can be, of an acceptable way to be treated by others.
Secondly, if you’re trying to avoid confrontation or passive aggressiveness is your jam, leave a copy of the book, "GIVE A DAMN! How to Lead Better" in the break room, conference room, or — their desk. It’s a small book with pictures and big-sized lettering, perfect for adults who act like children. To be clear, that’s not the book’s intended audience, but it sure can help.
Become a better leader without being a jerk with this Boston-bred, California-chilled Leadership Advisor, Writer, & Podcast Host
Reflections on Leadership The Problems We Keep Trying to Solve Leadership Drift This Week The Problems We Keep Trying to Solve Organizations are busy. Leaders make decisions, employees work hard, and problems receive attention. Yet important priorities keep getting crowded out. Capable people become frustrated. The same problems return, even after considerable effort to resolve them. When this happens, the instinct is to work harder, introduce another process, or ask people to do better....
Reflections on Leadership The Price of Feeling Special Leadership Drift This Week The Price of Feeling Special When we choose someone to lead us, we must ask: What are we willing to excuse in a leader because we believe that leader will do something for us? The question shifts our attention from the person we elect to the person doing the electing. It asks us to examine not only a leader's character, but our own. Have we become so invested in what someone promises us that we are willing to...
Reflections on Leadership What Problem Are We Trying to Solve? Leadership Drift This Week What Problem Are We Trying to Solve? An organization can spend considerable time and money correcting employees while overlooking the conditions that make their jobs harder than they need to be. It can demand accountability from people while letting leaders avoid it. It can promote values that its own decisions contradict. The activity looks like improvement. The underlying problem remains. Sometimes the...