Reprinted from: LeanIn.org
By: Stephanie Taylor Christensen
(This is the fifth segment in a ten part series from LeanIn.org)
Lesson #5: YOU HAVE A NIGHTMARE BOSS
“Unfortunately, in my experience, bad bosses are more plentiful than good bosses,” Palmer says.
So the better you can learn to peacefully co-exist with people you don’t enjoy, the less you’ll be impacted by them—both in and out of the office.
The Silver Lining Lesson: Don’t try to “solve” the boss. Instead, learn how to manage your reactions, and work within the conditions you face—assuming, of course, that the boss isn’t violating human resources laws.
“Keep your interactions on topic and to the point. Always use a civil tone, even if your boss does not. Avoid whining or forming a bash-the-boss clique,” advises Randall. “In other words, don’t give them anything to use against you.”
Ultimately, a bad boss can teach you behaviors to avoid and help you envision the kind of leader you want to become.
Check in tomorrow for mistake #6!
