Hi Gina,
have been dealing with this issue for my partner of late. Not just bad bosses but the extreme, sexually harassed and assaulted along with being vilified and victimized.
We all have stories about bosses who are complete and total (
$_(. Having at some stages had a lot of staff in the hundreds under me, it is hard to be a boss and requires one to take the odd knock no matter how well you try and do your job. Its a fact of life and some staff will never be pleased whatever the outcome. Other side of the coin, I never wanted to be the boss but got there by being kind and fair and just doing my job very well. I did not build a political base or tread on heads to get there. I just did my job which had a direct and visible outcome so one could see who was doing it well.
Sadly when I got there I found to stay there actually involved doing things I was not happy with to others below me. It was part and parcel of being the boss in this organization. I eventually when told I would get my bonus but all my staff wouldn't and they had worked hard for it , I just quit. I walked at that point in time. Other reasons but I took a stand and not expecting them to change it was not a threat I just went I cannot and will not do this.
As to bosses and types, they range from the bullies to the inept to the very good ones who encourage and praise their staff for a job well done. All ranges between those posts. Some abuse and terrorize and bully staff under them to get their objectives. Staff react in various ways to this sort of boss but the better bosses encourage and nurture their staff and praise them when it deserved. Some do variations on this. The best outcomes usually are from the pones who praise and nurture staff under them. Listen to them and explain without BS and support their ideas or if they don't work again without blame discuss the outcome whilst being positive.
Sadly many bosses fall into the bully or abusive regions. Some can and are made out to be there by staff. Put the managers shoes on for a day and see things from his perspective and ASK him or her what she wants or needs. Let them know not in a brown nosed way you will support hims or her and what you can do to achieve these goals. managers have to be separated from staff and they have to make at times decisions which make little or no sense if not explained to staff. They want to be accepted and your friend or on friendly terms.
Others and I suspect the majority fall into the not so good area. some stumble with the role and have no idea. if you ask them what exactly you can do to improve things it may steer them in the correct direction.
As for last type, bullies, ultra critical to the verge and beyond abuse. Not much hope for them. If your learning a trade or a craft, and there for this goal, learn it and use their expertise and accept it for what it is, training. If there is no chance to improve your position, and your fully trained and in this situation might be time to look for another job. I know I once had a boss in this category. He was a boys boy, not what I was, he was everyone's mate, sadly not mine. We had a meeting scheduled for 9 am and he didn't turn up till 11.30 am. I had another booked then and time and time again this happened. Eventually knowing it would never change I found another job.
Hope some of this helps. If your boss is a bully or highly critical going above them to complain does not really work, even if the boss is ejected you will be viewed as the whistle blower. Better just to leave. If your boss doesn't respond to asking how you can help or is just a (
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$. Leave ... . if your a good and dedicated person someone ELSE will appreciate
Take care
