You may be new to a job and trying to figure out the best way to work with your employer. In contrast, you are a seasoned professional feeling like your new manager isn’t being a good boss. Word has it, “most people don’t leave jobs. They quit bad managers.” But what exactly defines a bad boss? No constructive feedback For any employee, having feedback from their boss is critical to growth and the mastery of your job. If your boss edits your work without explaining or suggesting ways you can improve, or if they simply approve it and thank you for the work, then it’s a sign they might not be good at giving feedback. Public critiques Any decent boss knows that a conversation with an employee should be in private. Easily being one of the 10 signs of a bad boss, publicly criticising or public put-downs are reprehensible. Whether you’re discussing performance, something professional or personal, discretion is advised. An over promising boss For the most part, an overpromising boss is an untrustworthy boss. Micro Management Is your boss so pushy and overbearing that you find yourself unable to accomplish anything efficiently? This may be a perpetual problem, so get ready for it early. If they want a play-by-play of every meeting, email, and call, then take detailed notes of every business interaction and send them to your boss. Your boss will think that they’re on top of things and will leave you alone. Alternatively, Gakuba Vanessa, a counsellor, says this can be diffused by over-communicating with a micro-manager or needy boss. This, she says, will take down their desire to constantly check in, while you build all-important trust at the same time. Having favourites This will fog their ability to recognise your skills and the value you add to the company. They also fail to see that they’re treating you unfairly. No gap between humour and insights According to Gakuba, all jokes that are at an employee’s expense can be upsetting. Bad bosses have trouble seeing that by relentlessly teasing people who aren’t their equals, it can be hurtful, she explains. This indicates the emotional intelligence to see the difference between humour and insults. Moody boss There will never be a person who will be keeled all the time. However, a bad boss can be a charmer in the morning and something different an hour later, Gakuba says. This will eventually affect an employee’s working space. No chance to grow There are few things more aggravating at work than being kept stagnant with the same routine responsibilities over a long period of time, especially after you’ve voiced interest in expanding your level of contribution. They are never vulnerable Vulnerability is an underrated leadership skill. But well-placed and well thought of vulnerability enables employees to see their leaders’ humanity, and it creates a way for leaders to bond with their teams. Besides, bad bosses may talk about vulnerability, but they don’t practice it in their own lives, particularly in the workplace. Lack of flexibility It’s only natural that emergencies will happen where employees may need some flexibility to go to a doctor’s appointment, or a different urgent circumstance. For a bad boss, you will work hard but they won’t give you the freedom to take some time out when you really need it.
