I have two friends that used to work for this company, both for the same general manager in different operations. The GM is an extreme micromanager, very condescending to their managers, rude to others, including customers, etc. This is not hearsay. I have seen this person in action.
It would be nice to say that the senior management of the division was unaware of this, but this individual carries this reputation with them from other similar assignments in the division. Now, they aren't doing anything unethical, illegal, or immoral. In fact, they run good costs, but their employee relations, quite honestly, suck. This causes them to lose good people and probably to not run the best costs possible.
So who is at fault here? It would be easy to say the GM, but as a recruiter, coach, and businessperson, I would say the real culprit is the company that allows these practices to continue.
Why have I started with this story? I want to point out where the real problem might lie if you are in a similar situation. It might be a lot more than the boss you are working for. It might be a company culture that tolerates, or maybe even promotes, this type of so-called management. So the first thing to consider is whether it is an individual or a corporate-wide problem. If it is the latter, there is little chance you will have any impact unless you are in a truly senior executive situation where you can directly influence or change it.
The next question to ask is something I have taught my adult children and many others to ask themselves: "Is it only me that this person is doing this to?" Yes, this works as well in your personal life as it does in your professional life.
If you can objectively look at the situation and say, "Yes, this person does it to others as well," then it really isn't about you. So the first thing you may need to do is get over your own insecurities, self-esteem issues, and ego. If, after a realistic assessment, you seem to be the only one the person is doing this to, then you'll probably want to take a long, self-searching look, which is not the subject of this article.
I am going to say that if you can address these two questions, then the majority of you will discover it is a company culture or you are contributing to it greatly. But what if it isn't one of these situations, and it truly is the person you're working for? Here are several suggestions:
1. Get them promoted.
Yes, you heard me right. If you get them promoted, they will not be hindering you anymore, and there will potentially be a higher chance of their shortcomings as a manager being discovered. And you might even end up with their position.
2. Don't engage in backbiting, gossip, sabotage, etc.
You set a higher standard. Besides, doing any or all of these things will get you cast as a malcontent and put an extreme damper on your own career.
3. Keep a sense of humor about the situation.
It is probably doing the company more harm than you. Everyone appreciates a good sense of humor, and it lightens the working environment. Here is an example from my past:
I once worked for a startup division of a high-tech Fortune 500 company. Like many other startups in this type of environment, it was conceived and run by engineers and accountants. I have nothing against either one of these disciplines (I have best friends in each category), but we all know something has to be sold to happen.
The bottom line was that there were unintentional anti-sales policies in place, so a salesman friend of mine generated a fictitious memo under a pseudonym about new anti-sales policies. He did it in a lighthearted way that didn't single anyone out. After the executives spent a couple of days trying to figure out who wrote the memo, they got serious and corrected some of the problems. Two years later, that memo was a classic that was still referred to.
4. Try going out of your way to be kind and considerate to the person.
Maybe they have other issues that don't involve the company, the job, or you.
A few years ago, I had to pick up some things at our youngest daughter's school. The person I had to get the things from was someone who had a very sour attitude. I determined that I was going to brighten her day. This was when the peppermint patty commercials with the lady on the ironing board were running.
So I picked up a couple of peppermint patties from a snack tray. When I got to her office, I jumped on a chair and acted like I was surfing (as in the commercial). Not only did it make her day, but it turned out peppermint patties were her favorite candy. After that, she was always very friendly.
Now, I know for some of you more serious ones, this may seem a little over the top, but try it. What do you have to lose but a little tension and a little dignity?
5. Offer to take on a project or two of the boss's that you are capable of doing.
You might be surprised. This could win you a valuable ally.
If you happen to be in a job where bad management is company culture, you can still do all of these things. They'll probably have a lot less impact, but they'll certainly ease the stress on you while you are looking for a position with another firm.
In today's corporate environment, jobs are short term in nature. You are sure to have some idiots for bosses as well as some great leaders. But you do have choices, so do something about it. And remember: someday you might be someone else's idiot boss.
Here's wishing you terrific hunting,
Bill
About the Author
Bill Gaffney has had 16 years of experience as an executive recruiter, a career coach, a recovering idiot boss, and an employee. He can be reached at 937-567-5267 or wmgaffney@prodigy.net. If you have a question you would like him to consider for his column, please email askamaxa@yahoo.com.
