Comments on: Yahoo column: How to deal with a bad boss

By: sfgsgf

sfgsgf — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:48:22 +0000

if your boss promotes someone and you cant find a good reason why go to your boss or higher up and ask why they were promoted, why you were passed up and what you can do to do better. America and free markets everywhere were built on meritocracy. Not horseshit like this. Let your superiors know you are there to make rank. not to be overlooked and jerked around.

By: sfgsgf

sfgsgf — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:45:42 +0000

this is bullshit

By: sfgsgf

sfgsgf — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:43:23 +0000

This is horseshit advice. Kissing ass is not a good way to "manage up" If your boss gave someone else a promotion and you can't find a decent reason why then go to them or higher up and ask why you were passed up, why they were promoted and what you can do to do better. America and free markets were built on meritocracy. Not bullshit. Let your superiors you are there to make rank. Not to be overlooked. and then fucking ask for a raise.

By: neveryoumind

neveryoumind — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:14:37 +0000

As someone who was just fired, I was happily reading your blog for some career info in the brave new world of corporate America. Then I saw this column and really, I threw up in my mouth. Where in your utopian world do you think these "managed up" bosses really exist? There is a world of woe between bosses whose behavior is illegal and those who's behavior is just wrong. For the record, I was fired by my boss's boss who's sole skill is networking. Hey, if that works for her, cool. This boss torpedoed the individual responsible for her coming to the company, and drove out several talented individuals. The only good hire she made was my boss, but she did so by alienating the woman already in that position. In a large company that is part of a huge corporate behemoth in a work-for-hire state, you can do pretty much anything you want. And managing up won't help you if your boss knows and takes advantage of that and could care less who likes her when her position as V.P. of Incompetence is secure. This is the second boss that got away with treating folks like shit at this company because there are no consequences. Being solicitous in the face of contempt and trying to be nice despite this woman giving me her ass to kiss got me fired. Of course I should have quit, given your logic, because apparently all anyone should have to do is pull up those bootstraps regardless of who's depending on you or who you need to feed at home. Or if in my case, it's just about paying your bills and trying to work in a company and an industry that you have worked in an succeeded in for your entire career.
I know, I know, it's my fault that I didn't see the knife in my back coming and ask my boss to pretty please change its aim. I though this was a site for those interested in career advancement, not a tool for corporate America's bad boss clique.

By: Henry

Henry — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:14:37 +0000

I guess you subscribe to "we are all whores….it's just a matter of price".

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:25:06 +0000

It is interesting that you use "him" to describe the bad boss. Don't worry, as a man who is also a boss, your appology is accepted. How about sitting down with your boss and actually having a conversation rather than some Machiavellian behind the scenes manipulation? Most bosses can see through this quite easily… that is why they have advanced in the workplace. Also they tend to be better at politics so underestimate them at your own peril. Don't waste your time working on managing your boss, work on improving yourself.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:05:18 +0000

Hey, keep the crazy comments coming. It is an interesting experience to see what people in the public eye have to face.
That nutcase was rather scary though.
Be well.

By: Penelope Trunk

Penelope Trunk — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:58:46 +0000

Hm. This is a problem. It didn't occur to me that the insane comments that I delete go out to all the people who commented on that particular post. I'm really sorry for the spam. But at least you all get to see what I deal with on a daily basis…

Penelope

By: ICE

ICE — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:50:53 +0000

Dear Penelope
I have received three blogs from a chap called William who is an art teacher and who either a) doesn't know how to think positively b) has a psychological problem c) was only taught how to spell "f…" or d) doesn't understand your site.
I pity him
kuzak

By: ICE

ICE — Sat, 12 May 2007 07:30:00 +0000

Hi Penelope
Just recently I was introduced to the concept of managing your boss. It was an eye opener: I analysed what my previous jobs were like for me personally and how I "managed" my boss.
This is good stuff:I considered myself a victim in my previous job/with my previous boss and did not achieve anything but unhappiness. He did not understand the role he had to play; I considered him the 'wrong' candidate, etc. In the same job but with another boss, I anticipated what he wanted and delivered on time / before time – result: he achieved his goals, the company excelled and I was rewarded and felt I had a worthwhile job.
Lesson: If I had 'coached' / 'managed' (whichever term you want to use! the ineffective boss better, we would have had a win-win situation. Instead, he directed his efforts to my 'willing' co-workers and our graves were dug as we achieved nothing. My boss resigned.
Keep up the great work!!