Having a bad boss can set your career back. In this article, we will discuss 6 signs you have a bad boss and what to do if they sound a little too familiar. For more on jobs see: https://www.bls.gov/jobs/home.htm
1. Lack of Support
The first sign that you potentially have a bad boss is if they aren’t all that supportive of you. This can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, but it can be something as simple as you ask for something and they never really give you anything in return. There’s no give and take in terms of the relationship between you and your boss. Not having a supportive boss is frustrating because it often means that you’re going to need to do a lot more work yourself, or you’re going to have to find a workaround to make something possible because they’re being more of a blocker than they are being an enabler.
2. No preparation for one-on-ones
The second sign that makes for a bad boss is that they never really prepare for your one-on-ones. If you find yourself in a situation where you aren’t getting regular one-on-ones, the speaker highly recommends that you set aside some time with your direct manager for that. But if you are getting that time of the week, you need to make sure that you’re making the most of that time. That’s some of the best time for you to go over what’s going well, and what’s not going well, as well as what are some of the challenges and things that your boss can help you work through.
When it comes to one-on-ones, it’s really important to find a boss who does prep work for the one-on-ones, is interested and invested in your career development, as well as gives you direction to make sure that you are doing the right things for you to be successful in your role.
3. Gaslighting
The third sign that you should look out for when it comes to identifying a bad boss is whether or not they gaslight you.
This often comes in the form of them telling you something and then blowing up at you for no good reason. It’s something in which they’re then starting to undermine you by instilling doubt or some sort of form of uncertainty as to whether or not you actually can do the thing that you fully know that you can do.
Over time, this can erode your self-esteem and sense of competence, leaving you confused and insecure about your work. Recognizing this behavior early on is crucial, as it can seriously impact your mental well-being and professional performance if left unchecked.
4. Low emotional intelligence
The next sign of a bad boss is if they have a really low level of emotional intelligence. If somebody can’t empathize with what you are going through regularly, or they just struggle to take a step back, actually listen to you, and show compassion in moments where you might mess up along the way, or where you might be feeling a little bit burned out, then you have a bad boss who isn’t supportive of you.
You must keep an eye out for this because your boss’s job is to enable you to be successful in your role. If they aren’t helping you and getting you there, then you need to find a new boss who is going to enable you and empower you to do that sort of task. That is the essence of business and work relationships in which you are agreeing to join a company, to do a job, and to do it well. Take charge of ensuring you’re set up for success with the kind of work you’re doing. A truly good boss empowers you, values your contributions, and fosters an environment where you can bring your best self to work. This allows you to excel in your role and deliver exceptional results.
5. Unprofessional behavior
The fifth sign that you have a bad boss is in the case where they are unprofessional in the workplace. This can mean that they make certain comments that frankly shouldn’t be made in a workplace whether it’s yourself or others in your office. This can be a really bad sign for you because it means that your boss, again, likely doesn’t have the emotional maturity level or just social intelligence to pick up on what makes other people comfortable and uncomfortable in the workplace.
If you have something like this, you should keep an eye out for that and make sure that you potentially find yourself in a new situation.
6. Unfair treatment and lack of recognition
The sixth sign that you have a bad boss is you feel like you’re not being treated fairly or valued. This often manifests itself in compensation conversations. If your boss is not willing to come to the table with fair offers or fair raises when it comes time to give you that performance bonus for the great work that you’ve done, then it means that your boss is just trying to hold you back and isn’t supportive of your career. Ultimately, bosses should feel like they’re excited about giving these sorts of opportunities to their team members who have worked their butt off for them. In that situation, it makes it so that it’s an opportunity for them as well as the employees to recommit to the business and continue to perform.
Giving people raises over time produces a conversation where bosses can realign on what their goals are for the next 12 months or the next 18 to 24 months how they can get there and what would make somebody happy in terms of how they’re getting paid for them to feel motivated to accomplish those goals. Having somebody who recognizes you, values you, and expresses those sorts of appreciation moments, can make a huge difference in the morale of an employee.
Conclusion
When you have a really good boss, it’s essentially the opposite of all these bad signs of bosses in terms of feeling empowered, feeling valued, feeling like you can come to work and show your best self so that you can just really deliver on what you are hired to do.
In the case where you find yourself in one of these situations, take a step back, ask yourself whether or not you need this job or if it’s time for you to potentially start opening some doors, reaching out to folks, or if it’s potentially time for you to take a step back, reflect on what you want to do next and find a better situation. There are a lot of things going on in the world, but don’t discount your abilities and what you’re capable of. If you put some feelers out there, you can get new opportunities because there’s always demand for top talent.
In the case where you are still kind of thinking about whether or not you should quit your job or consider a new position, the speaker recommends checking out their video where they dug into that topic more in-depth and provided some questions that you can ask yourself when evaluating whether or not it’s time for you to move on.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if my boss is not supportive?
A non-supportive boss often doesn’t provide the necessary resources, guidance, or encouragement you need. This can manifest as ignoring your requests, not giving constructive feedback, or being more of a hindrance than a help in your work.
2. What should I do if my boss doesn’t prepare for one-on-one meetings?
If your boss doesn’t prepare for one-on-one meetings, ensure that meetings happen regularly and make the most of them by preparing yourself. Bring a clear agenda and specific points to discuss. If this still doesn’t help, it may be a sign that you need to have a more direct conversation with your boss about the importance of these meetings.
3. How can I identify if my boss is gaslighting me?
Gaslighting involves your boss making you question your reality or abilities. This might look like them telling you one thing and later denying it, or criticizing your work unjustly. If you feel consistently undermined and start doubting your competence despite evidence of your good performance, you might be experiencing gaslighting.
4. What are the implications of a boss with low emotional intelligence?
A boss with low emotional intelligence will struggle to empathize with your experiences, provide the necessary emotional support, or understand your feelings. This can lead to a lack of support when you’re facing challenges, feeling burned out, or needing guidance and compassion.
5. How should I handle unprofessional behavior from my boss?
If your boss exhibits unprofessional behavior, document specific instances and consider addressing it directly if you feel safe doing so. Alternatively, you can report the behavior to HR or seek advice from a trusted mentor or colleague. It’s important to maintain professionalism yourself and protect your well-being.
6. What can I do if I feel unfairly treated or undervalued by my boss?
If you feel unfairly treated or undervalued, consider having a candid discussion with your boss about your concerns. Provide specific examples and request feedback on how you can improve or what needs to change. If this doesn’t lead to positive changes, it might be time to look for a new job where you will be appreciated and fairly compensated.
7. How do I know if it’s time to leave my job?
Evaluate your situation by considering the signs of a bad boss mentioned above. Reflect on how these issues affect your well-being and career growth. If you find that your work environment is toxic and you’re unable to thrive, it may be time to start looking for new opportunities. The speaker also suggests checking out their other video on evaluating whether it’s time to move on from your job.
8. What should I do if I’m considering leaving my job due to a bad boss?
Start by researching and networking to explore new opportunities. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile, and consider reaching out to industry contacts. Take time to reflect on what you want in your next role and ensure the new environment aligns with your career goals and values.
9. Is it possible to find a boss who empowers and supports me?
Yes, it is possible to find a boss who empowers and supports you. Look for job environments that prioritize employee well-being, professional development, and a positive company culture. During interviews, ask questions about management style and company values to ensure they align with your needs.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by vecstock; Freepik; Thank you!
