You can rest assured, albeit not peacefully, that you’re not alone. Insensitive tyrants have a way of working their way to the top and leaving a wake of discontented staff. So, chances are you’ve either had one or someday you will experience a Bully Boss.
Does this sound like some you know?
Motivation by fear is very effective over the short-term. In sports, we’ve seen the success of icons like Bobby Knight and Mike Ditka. Tyrannical behavior does get results. What gets rewarded gets repeated. And if you’ve had a bully role model, that style is all too often imitated, despite its residual costs of poor morale, turnover and eventual mediocre performance. The skills needed to influence people in more positive ways take time be developed. And who has time for that when you’re constantly replacing defectors?
You need to put up a strong front. Consciously work to stay calm if/when a bully confronts you. But better to nod and say little or nothing than to quiver, sob or stutter in reaction to their taunts.
Remember, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. Your boss hired you for a reason and needs your talent and abilities. You can not perform at your optimum level if you’re living in constant fear.
Life is too short to spend your waking hours in torment and your sleeping hours restless. Find a way to exit on your own terms. While it may be tempting “strike back“, take the high road and resist acting on any vindictive feelings. Don’t Get Mad, Get Over It >> more >>
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One Response
I worked for a control freak. He rotated targets, and was compensated for and hated it when I succeeded without his help. He would get a “brilliant” sales idea and then get upset when someone didn’t participate. Most of his ideas were losers, his involvement and usually would just reward him.
The most telling story was a ski trip. Two of us agreed to go. While on the trip he wanted to be “one of the guys.” On the return trip when we got within one hour, he returned to being “the boss.” An amazing shift in personality.