Comments on: Yahoo column: How to deal with a bad boss http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 16 May 2008 02:19:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: neveryoumind http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-138392 neveryoumind Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:14:37 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-138392 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. 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-135994 Henry Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:14:37 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-135994 I guess you subscribe to "we are all whores....it's just a matter of price". I guess you subscribe to “we are all whores….it’s just a matter of price”.

]]> By: Kevin http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-110007 Kevin Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:25:06 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-110007 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. 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-91678 Dale Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:05:18 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-91678 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. 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-91370 Penelope Trunk Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:58:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-91370 <em>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...</em> <em>Penelope </em> 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-90947 ICE Sun, 17 Jun 2007 08:50:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-90947 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 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 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-70075 ICE Sat, 12 May 2007 07:30:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-70075 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!! 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!!

]]> By: aonetowne http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-29270 aonetowne Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:02:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-29270 Help rid the world of idiot bosses! Get You're an Idiot, and People Talk About You Behind your Back. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but the book is a gem of true stories about the many idiot bosses out there. It's on Amazon--worth the read--great anaonymous gift for your idiot boss. Truly a quick, funny read--possible guide to change for your boss. If not, at least you will feel good having let your boss know he/she is an idiot!!! Help rid the world of idiot bosses! Get You’re an Idiot, and People Talk About You Behind your Back. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but the book is a gem of true stories about the many idiot bosses out there. It’s on Amazon–worth the read–great anaonymous gift for your idiot boss. Truly a quick, funny read–possible guide to change for your boss. If not, at least you will feel good having let your boss know he/she is an idiot!!!

]]> By: Cory http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-28865 Cory Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:39:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-28865 Awesome. There's also a really cool pdf about bosses over at tinygigantic.com. Maybe a little snarky, but pretty cool. Awesome.

There’s also a really cool pdf about bosses over at tinygigantic.com. Maybe a little snarky, but pretty cool.

]]> By: Denzel http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-28823 Denzel Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:27:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/08/yahoo-column-how-to-deal-with-a-bad-boss/#comment-28823 Yeah, I am encountering a different host of problems. When being told of my job requirements, which come in Willy-nilly, he constantly stops and asks me questions like, "You probably think I am the biggest a-hole don't you. I am sure you go home and tell your wife that I suck and I am bad boss." He also tells me how bad of a boss he is, and my job satisfaction is all his fault of not being organized. Do I hang on, or just bail and find someone who can delegate? * * * * * <I>First of all, thank you for showing me that Willy-nilly is capitalized. I never noticed that before. I think your boss is very insecure and knows he has a lot to learn, and it's a great opporutnity for you to help your boss get better at his job and in the process take the parts of his job that you want. He sounds like he wants to make you happy but feels he is incapable of it. If you tell him exactly what you need him to do, and show him how to do it, and show him how good the results are from that action, you will proabbly both be happier. In fact, you will have to be the manager, not him. But he sounds like maybe he's manageable. -Penelope</i>   Yeah, I am encountering a different host of problems. When being told of my job requirements, which come in Willy-nilly, he constantly stops and asks me questions like, “You probably think I am the biggest a-hole don’t you. I am sure you go home and tell your wife that I suck and I am bad boss.”
He also tells me how bad of a boss he is, and my job satisfaction is all his fault of not being organized. Do I hang on, or just bail and find someone who can delegate?

* * * * *

First of all, thank you for showing me that Willy-nilly is capitalized. I never noticed that before.

I think your boss is very insecure and knows he has a lot to learn, and it’s a great opporutnity for you to help your boss get better at his job and in the process take the parts of his job that you want. He sounds like he wants to make you happy but feels he is incapable of it. If you tell him exactly what you need him to do, and show him how to do it, and show him how good the results are from that action, you will proabbly both be happier. In fact, you will have to be the manager, not him. But he sounds like maybe he’s manageable.

-Penelope

 

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