The Fatal ‘Head’ache – I
Last year, I was an Editorial Manager at a leading knowledge process outsourcing firm in Gurgaon, India. The Head of Editorial, who happened to be my supervisor, used to drive us nuts. She delegated work, but then micromanaged them to de
ath. She enjoyed being in everyone’s business – more into personal and less into professional. For her, we had no life outside work, and if there were one, it revolved around her. She was a pathological liar and played favourites.
That said, what’s so unique about this story to deserve a mention on this blog that has historically focused on glocal issues.Bad bosses are in abundance across the globe, and even the global firms are no exception. Many HR experts advise employees to shift their focus from those traits that make a ‘bad’ boss, bad, and instead concentrate on something that’s somewhat positive for them as well as the organizations concerned.
But, what do you do when your boss is an ogre, a control freak, a jerk and a micro manager – all metamorphosed into one? What do you do when you fall out of your boss’s favour for reasons beyond professional? How do you react to that if your boss does not let go problems/mistakes and always returns to discuss negative events? How do you make your boss accept constructive feedback? And above all, how do you make your boss feel comfortable, despite knowing that he or she is quite inferior to you in terms of skill set and thus feels insecure?
Before I get deeper into these issues, let me admit that I had ‘failed’. I didn’t have a workable solution, and the only viable one at that time seemed quitting the job. Though the decision was quite tough in light of a depressive macro environment, with hiring frozen across industries, I went ahead with it. But, could I have taken a different route to salvage the situation? That’s the central question we’ll explore through this four-part series. Needless to say, I am all ears, waiting to hear from you (dear readers) – your experiences/opinions.
Things were, however, not quite the same when I had joined the team. Also, I have no qualms in admitting that I had benefited significantly, albeit not in financial terms, under her rein, but I could never ‘sell my soul to the devil’. So, what went horribly wrong in a perfectly workable professional relationship that later drove a professional to a point of no return? She wanted me to be her fantasy. I just wanted to be me. The answer may seem simple, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Simply put, the idea is to add insight to injury!
Image: www.unison.org.uk
I can guess who this person is. And definitely agree with you and empathise.
-Cheers and best of luck.
Buddy…thanks for your comments! it’s not quite easy in the corporate world, either. However, let me tell you, i tried my best to reverse the situation, fought really hard and didn’t quite bother about what lay ahead…i am not cribbing or complaining but sharing my experiences of that fight so people like you can come out some time in their life to make this world a better place to live in. I still remeber one dialogue in a Bollywood flick called Dil Se…”yeh zaroori nahi hai ki hum kisi behtar samaaj mein payda ho…zaroori yeh hai ki hum samaj ko kitni behtar bana sakay”…thanks buddy…cheers!
Buddy
At least you have the liberty to quit the job. For
PhD fellows like us the things are worst (in case of India). Its a locked in situation a viscous circle . U are left at the Mercy of your Guide who can make your present and future life hell. In professional life u can at-least mention that u have worked in so so company and left for what so ever reasons In Academic when are doing your Phd u cant even argue and make a point all depends on the whims of your guide …but your experience encouraged me to write something abt my own experience bt i hve to wait till i get my degree locked in circumstances
Buddy…thanks for your comments!
Well, I did write a mail to senior management, but I don’t know whether it yielded any affirmative action. As far as this post is concerned, i thought i have a nice story to tell…and that’s it!
Cheers!
Buddy….u r not alone…i’ve heard similar stories about this Lady from a lot many of my collegues at this “leading knowledge process outsourcing firm”….u know, the best thing would have been to write a similar mail to the whole of the organisation before leaving your job…that would have taught his lady a good lesson.
I don’t think that’ll help. This industry is very small. You tend to meet some of the people you’ve worked with in your next job. Frankly, I have no solution to this problem. I have been a victim many times and have decided to quit most often. I do agree that this problem exists everywhere and the root cause is the insecurity of these “very young, inexperienced and incompetent supervisors”.
OK…first thing’s first…she’s not VERY YOUNG…