How to work effectively with a difficult boss

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    how to handle bad boss

    Posted by: omar01
    Date: 11/16/2005 6:19:53 PM

    I do have a district manager whom I work for that is the worst example of leader the company can project.I work for a "big box" retail company and I have just joined them.The recruiter made me feel as though my experience and talents would be something this company is looking for future growth. I bit.

    Within the first week of my new store assignment (4 week training program) I sensed not one hourly or salaried mgt. person in the store thought much of the district manager.I tried defending him saying 'everyone has different ways to motivate/inspire lets see what happens. How wrong I was.He is a micromanager to the 10th degree.On our weekly conference calls he just belittles and calls out publicly all our faults.We all sit on the phone and get beat to a pulp for operational,personnel and merchandise issues.This is leadership.Then the district manager trys to cover up his reasoning for treating us this way saying "I hate to be negative but I call a spade a spade" "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen" mentality.

    I know of several letters that have anonymously been sent in on him as well as a few "integrity hotline calls".I know for a fact that the hotline calls had him calling several stores asking the store/asst. mgrs. who might of called so he can "have a conversation with the person".That's how he would retaliate. he makes comments in public while walking in the store that if people can't get things right we should fire them.All this within ear shot of hourly employees and customers.How unprofessional.

    He is beyond sitting down and talking to because he does not feel he is in the wrong.I know when I do go to district meetings ALL other managers feel as I do.I'm the new guy and some of the more senior members say it has been this way for years that they just deal with it and ignore what they can.

    Please give me some ideas,solutions or advise.Anything would be appreciated.

    Lost

    Reply from: annie10
    Date: 11/17/2005 6:57:00 PM
    Reply: Your senior members have been down this road before with the district manager, and they know there is no solution but to perservere if they value the job. You probably receive a decent salary and benefit package or you would have already left. Give up on this manager and learn from your coworkers who have already determined how they will cope. The higher up a boss is in an organization the least likely they will ever be terminated or even reprimanded due to bad leadership skills. Watch out for any favorites this manager may have. Someone like that often thrives on petty gossip and has a source!
    Reply from: mrgigs
    Date: 11/21/2005 5:59:00 PM
    Reply: The previous respondent has of course got it right, but this is only based upon what you already know from you time served colleagues. What you are looking for is a solution to what is seemily an age old problem. I suggest the following....if you and your colleagues have these feelings then express them, but not individually there is power in a group of like minded people. Telling comment such as "On our weekly conference calls" and "That's how he would retaliate. he makes comments in public while walking in the store that if people can't get things right we should fire them.All this within ear shot of hourly employees and customers" indicate that he like to be heard but not seen, hence the need to work from a distance. The closeness of face to face comments will make him extremely uncomfortable, tie these in with specific incidents backed up by fact, if at all in the face of his peer group will turn the vocal lion to a mere mouse. If it this fails.....walk away, life is too short to waste on idiots...Rememeber we only pass this way once!! All The Best.
    Reply from: absmith
    Date: 11/25/2005 9:49:00 PM
    Reply: I agree with the other poster about just ignoring the boss, like others have done. This situation is not for you to resolve or fix- make sure you are clear on your role in the department and where your responsibility starts and ends. You are not responsible for your boss's weird style. Concentrate on your job activies and don't let this jerk play you.

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