Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

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  1

  macleanh

  03/09/07 | Report as spam

  Bad Boss Behavior

  While interesting, I think that you are missing one value issue: the workplace bully. An increasing behaviour, which unfortunately none of your suggestions would even come close to addressing. Maybe something for an future article as this is a all too real reality for too many people these days.

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  2

  QUADRI

  04/19/07 | Report as spam

  workplace bully

  Bad boss behaviour, while most types as mentioned in the article are relevant - they are very easily managed by the employees themself. On the other hand - the work place bully situation is beyond the control of the subordinate. This is something to be dealth by the top management only. The question here is how to do it. Mostly it will be better and easier to find an alternative job - but, what about the organization. We don't work for individuals and it is wrong to say that the best revenge is to get a job with a competitor, specially if the organization has been good to you.
  
  In my opinion, organizations should consider to have websites where anonymous comments could be posted - it could be either for persons or for other management issues.

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  3

  pattie_thomas@...

  07/17/07 | Report as spam

  Workplace Bullying

  The problem of bullying always lies within the context of what is tolerated by an organization. The only way to end bullying is to make it unacceptable by policy.
  
  A low tolerance policy that makes it clear that bullying behavior is unacceptable, an easy path for workers to report harrassment, and consequences for managers who punish whistle-blowers are policy decisions. The extent to which they are outlined and enforced is the extent to which bullying behavior will be driven out.
  
  All too often, however, office bullying serves a manifest function for an organization and short-sided management. Bullying contrains creativity and innovation and keeps workers "under control." Some managers are threatened by employees with different ideas or who are from diverse cultural backgrounds. Workplace bullying can be used (albeit usually without marking it as such explicitly) to ensure the status quo. Short-sided managers often feel more comfortable with the status quo.
  
  If bullying is being tolerated, then something is wrong in an organization. If policy is not changed after harassment is reported, I would feel no loyalty to the organization. People are responsible for their actions, but organizations and management are responsible for their re-action.
  
  Pattie Thomas, Ph.D.
  Public Sociologist
  Business Consultant

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  4

  tlyons1313

  07/17/07 | Report as spam

  Agreed

  The workplace bully is a really difficult person to deal with. I have a bully as a boss now and am at a loss over what to do. I would really like a discussion on the bully - even when he bullys their boss!

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  CeZel1

  07/31/07 | Report as spam

  Bullying One

  I agree totally.
  
  This is probably the most regularly appearing one - could you add this to your list?

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  6

  tltodd

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Small Business Bad Boss

  I find Bad Boss behavior to be most prevalent in small companies where the bad behavior is coming from the owner. Obviously, the owner/boss may feel more pressure and responsibility than a departmental supervisor or the like in a large company. At the same time, there is also the factor of inexperience and education, i.e. often the "boss" is an entrepreneur type and started the company without the benefit of working for a large corporation or even a college degree. These are the truly dangerous types and to my knowledge, there is no recourse other than to quit. While small business might be the backbone of America and reflect the "American Dream," it also has the ability to hurt many Americans as they struggle to work for these types of people. It's a shame we really don't have any laws to protect those who work in small companies (under 15 employees) from the mental and ultimately physical abuse of the crazy small business owner.

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  7

  ad1238@...

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Disagree we need any kind of regulation

  Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. Sometimes we rely too heavily on government intervention. We don't need any governmental protection to provide recourse for those working under the "bad boss." The workforce will regulate itself. The economy has wonderful ways of weeding out inefficient management techniques.

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  Passionate Leader

  03/23/07 | Report as spam

  Boss Behavior

  This was practical and relevant. Liked the way the "Vague Priorities" boss was to be dealt with. Made it possible for me to really do what they talked about.

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  vbalus@...

  03/30/07 | Report as spam

  Bad Boss Behavior

  Good article. Very practical & upto the point

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  mosesokol@...

  04/15/07 | Report as spam

  Boss troubleshooting

  This has been very helpful to me as I work under a number of boses each with his/ her own expections. This has given me an understanding of how to deal with each as some have a combination of chracters mentioned here.

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  markcrane_@...

  07/12/07 | Report as spam

  Inexperience is usually the problem

  This is the sort of email we received ........
  
  
  Dear all,
  
  This is a polite reminder to you to be prepared for the meeting that I have arranged for Tuesday the 28th November 2006.
  
  My expectations are high and uncompromising please be ready and prepared. Excuses will not be accepted.
  
  
  we were all experienced professionals who knew our job.......
  
  Needless to say - he's gone.........

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  12

  Melpo

  06/19/08 | Report as spam

  gone, but not gone

  Unfortunately, he's probably somewhere else right now sending the same kinds of messages. It seems to me that people like that simply don't learn.

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  13

  Charlotte3

  07/17/07 | Report as spam

  Time to Get Legal

  All too often, bad boss behavior is systemic in the organization and starts at the top. Make sure your work is in order; you have great documentation and look for a legal angel to take action. It is not illegal to be a bully in the workplace, but you can build a case around a protected class and/or retaliation. When is this epidemic going to stop running throughout our organizations? It destroys lives, careers and morale. Start with a respectful workplace policy, and make everyone accountable or face legal action.

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  topo_abeleda

  07/17/07 | Report as spam

  Unreasonable long hours

  This practice is long passe, the time of 200% dedicated , no sleeping/eating employees are long gone. This should not be happening anymore if the human resources department is involved in the right management of people.
  
  It been proven that the best managed companies are those that balance life and work of the employee which should be the case.
  
  In my experience, bosses who expect unusually long hours are of either of two species: 1. Those who are inefficient and like people to share in their inefficiencies or 2. Those who have a terrible home life and would rather live at the office than go home and force along all their subordinates.
  
  Either way, the HRD should be able identify said problem and address the situation properly.

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  nlambrechts

  07/23/07 | Report as spam

  Long hours

  Coming from HR myself, I have to agree with this. Corporate cultures are moving away from this in an attempt to project an employee-friendly image. Work-life balance is the buzz-word of today. In a market that is steadily gravitating towards the employees' advantage, we would do better helping this trend rather than hindering it.

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  jsargent

  07/26/07 | Report as spam

  Only a buzz word.

  Employee hapiness takes second place to the profits of the company. The culture of a company vary often is reflected in the general employment trends of a particular region or country. If it is feared that valuable employees will move to another company then they try to improve the working conditions. If the employment market is such that they believe employees will not leave then culture of a company tends to exhibit negiative aspects. Also if the company is an the stock market and the directors no longer own significant shares of a company then very often the management no longer cares how it's employees feel believing that their only duty is to create stock market rises without concentrating on how the business really works.

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  asibarak

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Long Hours = Critical mistakIes

  My boss came to me recently and complained: "I walked around at 19:00 and no one was here. I dont sense the (software )release in the air".
  
  I told him as follows:
  1. Im responsible here, and i dont want a bunch of sleepless angry zombie programmers writing neat bugs in 22:00.
  2. Its my responsibility as the middle ma nager from end to end,
  now lest see wat we can REALLY DO instead of just chasing everyone around.
  
  It worked well, and he backed off the micromanagement as well.
  We also made a more than reasonalbe relase on time.
  
  Some times long hours results from bosses who are control freaks
  with no life at home, as said.

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  zackshittu

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  To old to understand

  My boss is just to old to understand the dynamics of running a modern day enterprise. Ever so scared to make IT investment. He believes it is better to pay staff salaries than invest donor funds in improving business process. This attitude is particularly frustrating as one does not feel enabled to perform.
  
  I have wondered what best way to make an old man believe that an investment in a software is more desirable than showing how prudent you are with funds. Now, I resign to sourcing for trial versions of software to solve my pressing software problems. Needless to say that I have since intensified my effort at getting another job. It is looking like it is a waste of time trying hard to get him think like a young person. Do people grow too old for change?

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  JesLeb

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Too Old

  Many bosses that are deemed too old are really just cautious. Someone has to
  watch the purse. Everyone brings something to the table. The young may bring a
  ready understanding of new technology while the more seasoned staff have
  experience in the workplace to offer. Both attributes are necessary in a thriving
  office. Apparently, age bias is still alive and well. Too bad.

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  SolarGuy!

  06/26/08 | Report as spam

  Too Old

  I don't see this as age bias, I see this as the truth. Just a year ago I completed my second degree at age 54 and I work for a small firm < 25 employees. The boss/owner is impossible and approximately 5 years my senior. I have shown him a number of articles from BNET and his response, "I don't put much faith in what those executive types do. I've been around for awhile and I think I know how to do things around here." This is a man with a college education and a long successful (at least financially) career in Architecture.

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  fionamarg

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Bad boss behaviour

  I'd be interested to hear any tips from others who are labouring to work with bosses who are 'bad' because they're simply less experienced. I work in a scenario where my work is continually micromanaged by a boss with less expertise & less experience, and it's the most frustrating situation I've ever been in. If it weren't for the geographical conveneince of this job & the fact that the money's good, I'd have been off many months back. It's a very demoralising & demotivating situation.
  I guess the REALLy bad boss is the person who hired this one......

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  ldallm1

  09/25/07 | Report as spam

  Bad manager behavior

  I have a manager who is less experienced but very insecure and micromanages the entire staff. He is in a senior management position, is very intelligent and highly technical but has zero people skills or interaction skills. In addition, his English is fair to poor, he repeats what has been said just prior and he points out only the negative or doesn't say anything. His supervisor enables the problem by having him delegate portions of his job that he isn't able to do to me. I am assigned another portion of his job which is not on my job description except other duties as assigned. I love my real job but don't get to do it much. His verbal English communication skills are poor and he is in a communication and marketing position. I am at the end of my rope on this.

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  jmiles

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Absurd Expectations

  I once worked for a guy who would assign projects with completely unreasonable time frames. After a number of heated arguments that got me nowhere, I finally learned to go away quietly and map the process out in MS Project, with reasonable durations and all the interdependencies, then take the chart into his office and say, "Here are the steps needed to get this done; please take a look and tell me which ones you'd like me to leave out so that I can get it done in two weeks instead of six." He started to realize that I was being realistic, rather than whiny and defiant, and if we did ever have to omit some steps to meet an immovable deadline, I had his backing and approval for what I was doing (or not doing!)

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  wgaboy

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Worst and best bosses

  My worst boss looked just like the evil manager, shared other traits with the boss from The Office, primped like a peacock, and on technology was dumber than a sack of hammers.
  So as not to leave this subject on a negative note, my best bosses included: an old salt from the merchant marine, much like John Wayne with a little of Sgt Joe Friday from Dragnet ('just the facts, m'am); another was ADD, but let us know when his 30 second attention span was on, for a capsule briefing, and the last was 'aw shucks, I don't feel like a boss." She ran intererence for us and took over when her predecessor retired.

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  25

  wgaboy

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Worst and best bosses

  My worst boss looked just like Dilbert's Evil Manager, shared other traits with the boss from The Office, primped like a peacock, and on technology was dumber than a sack of hammers.
  So as not to leave this subject on a negative note, my best bosses included: an old salt from the merchant marine, much like John Wayne with a little of Sgt Joe Friday from Dragnet ('just the facts, m'am); another was ADD, but let us know when his 30 second attention span was on, for a capsule briefing; and the last was 'aw shucks, I don't feel like a boss.' She ran inteference for us and took over when her predecessor retired.

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  26

  GroundhogDaySurvivor

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  A situation not addressed . . .

  For the first time in my career, I have a boss who seems to be "interested" in me as more than an employee, and it is making me extremely uncomfortable. I've been unhappy with my job for a variety of reasons, but had made up my mind to make the best of it, enjoy the positives, and stick with it for a certain length of time before making a change. But this new source of stress is making all of my other sources of frustration here seem worse. Now every little thing irritates me.
  
  It's mostly things he says, and the way he looks at me when he says them -- stuff like how I would "look good in a cheerleader uniform," always telling me how nice I look, how nice my hair looks, what a great outfit I have on, and how someone should take me out to dinner, etc. It's completely gross and unsettling. I'm engaged, by the way, and the boss is married.
  
  I'm planning to leave, hopefully by the end of next month, so I just have to make it until then. . . . But what can you do in a situation like this if you aren't able to leave? It doesn't seem like HR-worthy stuff; it's just making me uncomfortable. But if I were to talk to him about it, it would make things uncomfortable in a different way, but still uncomfortable. To me, leaving seems like the only option.

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  csanders@...

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Report it

  This is a form of sexual harassment, and if you don't feel comfortable addressing it directly with your boss, you should report it to your HR department immediately.

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  28

  Folly Darling

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Explosive Anger

  Sorry,
  Continually accepting an explosive behavior of a boss who then appologizes and then does it again later is the same personality that is involved in the battered spouse syndrome. The employee finds themself trying to find ways to please the boss after the explosion, looking for honeymoon periods. This is absurd, this manager should be reported and be required to obtain counseling. The person who said they go into counseling mode -- you are not their psychiatrist -- you are the battered employee!! Break the cycle. They are usually doing it to the entire team. And they probably have personal problems too!

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  29

  yuva47

  07/27/07 | Report as spam

  Short fused Bosses

  I am a Group HR practitioner. I have GM who has a tag for his foul moods swings. This guy gets so worked up so easily and lashes at his managers without regard to the surrounding!. Many managers have left the company because of his abusive styles and those who put up find excuses to avoid him. The latest casuality is the CFO and prior to that the CHRO. Somehow I tried convincing my boss to replace him, but couldn't find the right candidate with the specific technicals skills. Thats the main problem. Like many, the guy is so damn good on tech but sucks on people management. I once discussed with my boss to send him for some behavioral anchored training and my boss cynically remarked, can a leopard change its spot. Alternatively I launched a MDP in house, after which he did mellow down. But, his true spots reappears. To some extend, all is not his fault because the people below him do have a tendency to get him into his foul mood with missed dealines!..But then again, they do so because he is so unapproacable and shoots first before listening!.
  
  What do we do with incorrigibles?
  
  BTW, telling the guy that we'd come back when he is in a better mood is likened to telling to his face, you are not "emotionally" ready to engage in an intellectual discourse!. I wonder how many ill tempered bosses are sensitive enough to take that lying down.
  
  I guess thats why we have the Secretaries acting as the thermostats to gauge the temparature level of bosses!. How I wished we could put up a traffic signal light outside the office of bad tempered bosses!

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  30

  mike_brough@...

  07/02/08 | Report as spam

  Short fused bosses

  Seems to me that this bosses technical skills don't compensate for his attrocious people skills. Better to have a great people-manager with average technical skills, surely.
  
  Also, to blame his underlings' failure to deliver as a driver for his emotional outbursts smacks a bit of chicken and egg. Could it be that fear of his outbursts is putting undue pressure on them, resulting in missed deadines? Vicious circle.

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  Fong1105

  08/05/07 | Report as spam

  explosive temper..

  i am going through exactly that - a senior colleague on my team would have an outburst and then get really sweet and smiley, thinking that it'll gloss over what she has just got said. i used to have an abusive boyfriend and that's exactly what he did - needless to say i gave up on him. the thing is, i love my job and don't want to sacrifice it for someone who's just not worth it!
  
  This senior person is really taking it out on me and another colleague on the team - the most junior people there, and we don't know what to do, because if we tell the boss it might end up reflecting badly on us. what it they breathe through the same nostril??? it is really doing my head in and affecting the team morale. any ideas??

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  32

  momlarue@...

  09/03/07 | Report as spam

  Ex-CUSE me???

  Since when does age have anything whatsoever to do with bad management or a failure to learn new things? This isn't an age thing.. this is a management issue. You are way out of line by associating this with age, and you may wind up getting yourself into deep Bandini with an attitude like that.
  
  If you think your boss is too old to do certain things, you probably also would have the same preconceived ideas about other people in your organization. Maybe a subordinate who you discriminate against based on an age bias. This is just a warning to the wise.
  
  And keep in mind, we ALL get older..! You're going to be there too, someday. If you plan on continuing to work past the age of 40, you will be among those that will be considered "too old" to do your job, unless you want to help create a more friendly work environment for the over 40 crowd.
  
  Please learn to name the real issue. It is that your boss doesn't like new ideas. He probably was always like that. And that doesn't have a thing to do with his age.

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  33

  Melpo

  06/19/08 | Report as spam

  Be Grateful!

  I admit I am a lemonade out of lemons kind of person, but I have a certain amount of gratitude toward the bad bosses in my career. I have learned a lot from them on how not to get the job done.
  
  They've also prompted me to get better at things like keeping my resume up to date and working on my network.
  
  If it weren't for a few of the bad bosses in my career I wouldn't be where I am today. These individuals prompted me to leave and find better opportunities for more money where my skills were appreciated.

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  34

  dtsorge@...

  06/19/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I've never had much success at modifying any of my past bosses behaviors. My best practice is changing employers.

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  35

  ninna.macaltao

  06/19/08 | Report as spam

  It's Exhausting

  Agree. It's exhausting trying to change anybody's bad behaviour. These tips are useful for keeping the peace and appearing above board and beyond reproach while you're planning your exit. Unless he's a real jerk, your boss would at least feel obliged to give you top marks for maturity and professionalism on your reference.

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  harkul

  06/19/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  Yes, "been there, done that" and so forth, and I must admit I have experienced this from boht sides of the fence. But as of right now, my attitude is this, bad behavior is really like alcoholism or any other "alism". Or to put it the other way, as mentioned elsewhere, can a leopard lose its spots?
  Yes they can, and yes some of those people can change their behavior. But only if they are facing an absolute wall of walls in front of them, and there is no other way out. Many of the bosses mentioned here, have too much security behind them, or dont care, and here's my remedy for that, and the only remedy; there is NO JOB on this earth worth having when you have to go to work feeling miserable and exhausted. These bullies must be told right to their faces what they are and what you think of them, and then resign. And report them to authorities.

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  37

  Awhy

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  This is a nice piece. Happens all the time. I think the level of unemployment in developing nations has even aggravated the menace of bad boss behaviour. The general thought of the bosses is "if you don't like me, then quit the job"

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  38

  rajchubb

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  Hey dont forget that destiny is in your hands! The boss is not almighty - sometimes you need to decide that he does not deserve you. Look for a change - maybe its the best decision you ever made!

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  39

  Venkatachalam,R.

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  Some how learn to practice that your boss is ok for you but not what he does(his behavior).At least with you he will try to be reasonable.
  R.Venkatachalam

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  40

  jentimus

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  The 60-40 Rule

  I once went to a seminar that said job success is 40% competency and 60% popularity. It's true - we've all seen less compentent people promoted on the basis of their connections in the organization rather than their ability to do the job (can you say 'Peter Principle'?).
  
  Our department manager is a bully, but retains the position because she's friends with the head of HR (there goes the 'report it to the HRD department' solution!). Our only recourse is to try to keep her as un-involved in projects as possible. Not the ideal situation, but the work gets done and most people just blow off the bad behavior because we all understand it's not really personal.

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  41

  Ellison3

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Misalignment - Words vs. Action

  What is really troubling for me is a recent experience with a large corporation that talks about these types of behaviors not being tolerated, but when specific actions / examples are identified, nothing is done. There are anonymous ways of reporting and company statements saying this will not be tolerated, but nothing happens when it is reported. Many people I know have had health problems, upset lives/careers, all because the bullies are being protected at the most senior levels. I do believe this is becoming an epidemic, and my advice to anyone that finds themselves in this situation, is stay true to your values and decide what you are going to do - don't wait on someone else to change the situation for you.

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  42

  sherrymo

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  What about the uninvolved boss

  As one of my friends said after I forwarded this to her - what about the boss who doesn't do anything until he can't avoid the situation any more?

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  43

  mbtompkins

  06/20/08 | Report as spam

  Bad Boss- Address dysfunctional behavior

  Tolerating dysfunctional behavior is partly your own fault... Talk to the boss and if there is no change for the better- Move on. The sooner the better. Don't waste your life in an abusive situation for someone that has learned by others 'toerance' that they can sing with confidence "I can do anything you can do better, if I want to, but I don't want to."
  
  I grew up in and around several family owned businesses... tell them what they are doing and the suggest solutions and tell them you like them but the behavior has to change. If they do not correct the behavior.. LEAVE! Let them experience the real cost of the loss of an employee already trained and the necessity to hire and train another new employee.
  
  Why struggle all day to do what they are unwilling to do, act with regard for the team. The emotional effects and stress will take a toll on your entire life...
  
  Move on... get up and go, just do it... leave. Life is too short to allow your self to stew in a toxic atmosphere.

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  44

  WULAIMOT

  06/21/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I can't really blame any employee that is tolerating dysfunctional behaviour due to present ecomony and the fact that there are sychophants in many organisations that are not ready to address such office malaise. I believe such boss should be talked to in a polite way on one to one basis before one leave the company.

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  45

  Had Enough

  06/21/08 | Report as spam

  Why Should I Quit? He should

  I am enjoying reading all the input to this topic. It is all so relevant and I am glad to be part of a large and I regrettably suspect a growing group of Bully Boss sufferers around the world.
  
  All the bad behaviour traits mentioned here prevail in my boss. And there are more such as:
  
  1) Pitting individuals and groups against each other. Classic divide and conquer tactic he not so not so covertly deploys at times when my department's result look astonishingly good
  
  2) Playing sport with certain staff members only to re-assert his dominance. It helps that 99% of the staffers he does/did play sport with were/are weaker at squash or golf than him
  
  3) Shouting and over-talking with his office door open. This blatant disregard for a person's esteem, morale, and self-respect is mind-boggling.
  
  4) The Blue-Eyed Brigades - consists of people he has selected for their sycophantic 'how high must I jump sir' fawning. They simply are the non-achievers of the organisation who proffer no challenge to his status as (dare I say it?) leader. Whereas he perceives and thinks my directs and I represent a great and distinct danger to his status when we individually or at meetings challenge his plans and his notorious misconceptions when required.
  
  I never used to have to challenge him when he started 2 years ago because he listened to what I and his other directs said. As time moved on he probably thought he?d learnt enough to qualify himself as an expert in out field (he knew zero about how, why or when we did what we do when chosen by higher ehelons to be VP of our group), and therefore did not need our inputs or suggestions. He stymied our innovation.
  
  I don't want to continually challenge him. But he endangers the staff through his unfounded and unqualified rants and by formulating plans on the fly that a large group of us staffers know will not bring any benefit to our business and especially to the staffs? workloads.
  
  His reactions to being asked (he only hears and reads what he wants to hear or read) reveals his inexperience, immaturity, self-centred, egotistical and overly ambitious nature.
  
  Despite brilliant results 2007 to date, he refuses to grant me more responsibilities. Citing nefarious reasons and ignoring my requests to know what I should learn/change or do to ensure the he and the business see merit in giving me more challenge. I know I can improve a certain area of our business but I regret to say this, I think he is jealous of the success I have achieved and can achieve if I succeed so well again. Could it be that he fears my popularity ratings will rocket? Wow, I never knew I was that much of a threat to him if this is the sole reason for how he treats me and my directs.
  
  His is not mature thinking. It is the rationale of a school playground bully maybe?
  
  So why should I quit a job I love doing and have done so for the past 9 years at the company whereas he knew nothing when he took over the reins at the start of 2006?
  
  Surely the company should be responsible to ensure the larger group of people are safe from a person like this and remove them and thus allow the group to recover safe in the knowledge that they will not be subjected to such brutal behavior from the senior manager again?
  
  So why should I move on to pastures new? I don't think I should need to consider this. He should be removed or made to remove himself.

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  46

  jwtampa1

  06/22/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I recommend:
  
  1 Stay positive. Begin/end with positives. Describe positives of anyone badmouthed. Listen for content. Rephrase in acceptable way. If speaker agrees, hear rephrasing. Relay only positive content.
  2 Speak to boss?s ?success?, things important to him.
  3 Develop metrics tied to customer; otherwise ?success? becomes ?Am I pleasing boss??
  4 Create success for stakeholders. Don?t impose own solutions.
  5 Publicly recognize all contributions.
  6 Seek mentor. You can?t learn ?good? by studying ?bad?.

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  47

  ndlicht1

  06/22/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  Many folks know about an ANSWERS 360. Its an objective way to reveal how a Boss is doing as a manager. Its not a gripe session, its a factual session and its univeral and objective in revealing what employees truly see and feel about their management.
  
  The results also come with some amazing specific ways to work at changing what isn't working, including managment styles and capabilities. Because we depend on our employees for our success, its imperative that we do an ANSWERS 360 to show us how we are missing the boat, how we are getting it right and how we can modify to get it right.
  
  Its an objective assessment tool in what it asks as it polls each employee, summarizes the results, and reveals to management whats really going on as a direct reflection of their styles and capabilities.
  
  That makes it a very powerful way for seeing how a boss is doing and it pulls no punches.
  
  Its valid in that the assessment is objective and annonomous allowing for each employee to have their say using the same questioning for each employee. Its asks the same questions of everyone surveyed so its not simply an opinion gatherer. It also reveals and quantifies its results along with the why of it all.
  
  Ehats very revealing is that the Boss takes a benchmark assessment where they essentially spell out how they think they are viewed and how effective they think they are. Comparing this with the employee results is often quite an eye opener.
  
  In the pressing highly competitive marketplace of our global economy where every fiber of your people must be engaged and tuned to bringing home success, why would you not want to use an ANSWERS 360 and the reality it can afford your business as a tool for forging ahead and beyond the competition?
  
  RSVP if you like and I can help point you in the right ANSWERS 360 direction for getting more insights on the process
  
  Neil Licht
  answers ndlicht@verizon.net

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  48

  Had Enough

  06/22/08 | Report as spam

  A 360 can work but.....

  Neil,
  
  I have a cunning toxic manager as my boss. Last year he was asked to do a 360 but neatly sidestepped any truthful and ultimately meaningful feedback by excluding only me (one of his directs) while involving all the others who are known for their more moderate and tolerant views on blatant bullying.
  
  I firmly believe that 360's don't work effectively without professional analysis of the data and also professionally trained 360 counsellor feedback on the data analysis.
  
  To my knowledge, my company does not have professionally qualified 360 counsellors to manage the steps needed for behavior change if the data recommends it. They rely of General HR practitioners to do this. But I guess mediocrity is better than 100% of nothing.

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  49

  Geoffrey James, Sales Machine

  06/24/08 | Report as spam

  Tell Us Your Bad Boss Stories

  On the Sales Machine blog we're sharing stories about bad bosses in the recent post "Help! My Boss is an Idiot!"
  
  Everyone is welcome to join in.
  
  http://blogs.bnet.com/salesmachine/?p=347

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  50

  kthipe

  08/12/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  the question is really is how to get the feedback you need to be a better boss. i really work with some and am a bomb with others

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  51

  pk1234

  02/19/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I am dealing with a manger who really Micro manages.Now I even fear having a female boss,she wants us to report her the time we come in and leave everyday.To tell the fact my productivitity has come down really bad. Everytime you do some thing good for the team she constantly tries to find something wrong with the job done.The whole team is fed up with her behavior . I am not sure how to deal with this boss......

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  52

  Highcommand

  06/01/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  Short-tempered and egoistic bad boss under the influence of his female secretary - always tries to show his supremacy over other senior officers so as to satisfy the ego of his female secretary by bullying others. The Boss executives the wishes of his personal secretary which adversely affects the decision making of the CEO boss. One who pleases the female secretary always gets the blessings of the CEO. The female secretary knows only to sexually satisfies the CEO and the CEO becomes a "Yes Minister" in her hands. She takes revenges on other senior officials and breaks the scalar chain and line of commands. She takes the stand that whatever she dictates to the CEO should be carried out by others as well. The CEO is a doll in her hands and bahaves as a teenaged lovers. The CEO does not like other senior officers directly report to him and everybody should come through his female secretary on official matters. His mixes is sexy life with the official life and created an ugly management stytle. Being a politically influencial CEO, the Board or Government can do nothing to save the organization from ruins. Can anybody suggest some remedial measures to deal with such CEO-female Secretary atrocities on the sincere and honest officials???

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  53

  msryat

  10/28/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I recommend:
  
  1 Stay positive. Begin/end with positives. Describe positives of anyone badmouthed. Listen for content. Rephrase in acceptable way. If speaker agrees, hear rephrasing. Relay only positive content.
  2 Speak to boss?s ?success?, things important to him.
  3 Develop metrics tied to customer; otherwise ?success? becomes ?Am I pleasing boss??
  4 Create success for stakeholders. Don?t impose own solutions.
  5 Publicly recognize all contributions.
  6 Seek mentor. You can?t learn ?good? by studying ?bad?.
  
  
  
  msryat
  
  games forums upload web msryat dir directory
  
  

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  54

  waheedah

  11/05/09 | Reported as spam

  RE: Troubleshoot Bad Boss Behavior

  I have a new boss who's never been a manager before. In the beginning he seemed to be a great boss, but for the last month or so, he's been ignoring me deliberately when I ask him questions pertaining to my position. I've been doing my type of work for many many years and are proficient to the core. My boss has been trying to belittle me by trying to push me out of the way when it comes to customer service which is part of my daily task. I have no problem respecting him as the boss but it has gotten to the place that he doesn't respect me any more, for example when asked a question pertaining to my expertise in a meeting, he doesn't accept my response unless it is approved by other employees whom he respects. He tells others how good I am but treats me indifferently. I'm beginning to think my boss personally doesn't like me, and I don't know why. I work hard and produce great results, so what's the problem?