Some people are just horrible to work for, which can infect not just your workday but your home life as well. Quitting isn’t the only option, though, if you have a toxic boss. One way to manage the stress is to think of your bad boss like a toddler.
Photo by Jaimie Duplass
Bad bosses can act like toddlers with their mood swings, short attention spans, tantrums, stubbornness, and self-centeredness, according to CNBC/USA Today.
No, you can’t give your boss a time out when he/she acts out, but you can give yourself a time out (make an excuse to leave the scene) — a strategy we’ve recommended before for dealing with a crazy boss — and better handle the situation with a “manage up” approach:
When dealing with one of these bad bosses, you have to manage up – take almost a parenting approach, Taylor said. She uses the acronym CALM – Communicate (be open, honest and communicate frequently). Anticipate problems. “If you see a tantrum working its way down the hall, don’t stick your neck out!” Taylor advises. Laugh, “because it’s a great diffuser of tension and breaks barriers,” Taylor said. And finally, Manage Up. “We’re not speaking about parenting here or coddling,” she said. “If you’re good parents, you know there’s such a thing as tough love. You have to be a proactive problem solver, as well as a role model and provider of positive energy.”
Maybe just thinking of your boss as a toddler acting out can help you manage better. The article also identifies five types of bad bosses, including The Bully and The Micromanager, and ways to deal with each of them.
Plan for handling bad bosses: Treat them like toddlers [USA Today]
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