How do you 'handle' a power hungry boss?

Question

My boss is on a serious 'power trip', and treats us minions like little children; talking down to us, blatantly lying to us and generally making us feel like we are his little slaves.
He is currently putting me under a lot of pressure, and I'm getting more and more wound up and angry about the situation. Being a relatively placid, non-confrontational person I find it really difficult to challenge him and tell him some home truths about the way he treats me and my colleagues, and basically say that he's asking too much of me. Some of my colleagues have challenged him for the exact same reasons, but seem to get nowhere. He has a way of getting what he wants and giving nothing back, and you only realise when you've walked away that you've 'been had' again! He really isn't a very nice person, (in the office, at least!).
Can anyone suggest how I could, either pluck up the courage to confront him or, subtly make him realise I can't cope with the pressure anymore. Long question, sorry! :)

Answer 1

An author whose name escapes me, but whom I've heard interviewed on NPR, said a very simple truth that you can't get around: "The boss will always win the argument". This is just the way life and work operate. You can switch out places to work in hopes of getting a better boss. Or you can stay put and let the injustice and aggravation of the way a few people act eat away at your happiness. I am not trying to be flip or minimize your concerns. But I am trying to give you a taste of honesty. Yes, my boss is dominating and maddening. But unless I really pour on the logic and charm -- and THEN maybe not even -- I never get anything to go my way. But I like the money and the work's not bad. So I'm staying put, at least for now.

Answer 2

If what you say is true, then there are other employees are feeling the same way. Instead of trying to deal with him one on one, address his behavior with fellow employees present. Be sure that you are not at fault though. You need to have all your 't's crossed and i's dotted'. Don't give your boss reason to think you need to be talked to as a child.

Answer 3

Make him believe he's are in control, even if he is really not. If he doesn't get over this 'power trip' soon, you may want to report him to someone higher in the company than him. Don't bring yourself to the end of your rope. If nothing changes after trying certain steps, consider finding a less stressful job.

Answer 4

Quit. The more people that quit on him and tell him WHY they are quitting will hopefully pave the road for the next workers! He's the boss, there is nothing you can do about it. It's his business and he can run it however he wants. I'm sure his attitude is that he can replace any one of you so he doesn't care how he treats you and/or if you quit or not.

Answer 5

As much as you might like to give him a good comeupants, you already know it won't have any effect on him. This has already been proven by your fellow workmates who have tried. This guy is a royal a**h***, for whatever reason(s). And he just happens to be the boss. Try to stay out of his way and quietly start looking for another job. As tempting as it may be when the time comes to leave, do give the usual notice. It makes you look good. If, on the other hand, the boss starts in on you during the notice period, come down with the flu.

Answer 6

The only way to deal with an" Office Monster" is to have a vote of confidence amongst all the staff. If you conduct this in an impartial and professional way, you can then present the results to the Managing Director. I did this once with a psychologically damaging bully of a boss and she was moved to another office miles away for a year. She did return a year later but was eventually sacked. x Take care.

Answer 7

Its not nice to work in such a situation. My advice would be to remain professional and not blow. Quietly try and keep a record of any situation that you feel is unclear or contradictory. Does your boss have a boss? at some point if it got so bad you had to deal with it by going above him, the more hard evidence of bad management, the easier it will be.



Nobody wants anecdotes, opinions or feelings, they will want hard facts. Notes, letters, emails.



The other tactic would be to try and manage your manager, meaning that you try and point things out to him in ways that make him think it was his idea but you still get the outcome, you know what I mean.



Best of luck, it will get better, things always do. :)

Answer 8

he maybe your boss but he is not your master, you are a person in your own right,i know its hard to stand up to someone but its either that or carry on letting him walk all over you... take a deep breath keep calm explain how he makes you feel , if he wont listen try speak to the person above him you spend half your life at work and you shouldn't expect to be made unhappy every day .... sorry i cant help more hun good luck .......

Answer 9

Your boss has control issues. He gets his ego boosted by putting down other people. He does this not only to you, but everyone in his miserable life. There is a book called "Mean People" which descibes your boss, and will help you to understand and eventually undermine him. His type is everywhere. Going above his head to complain will make you look bad. Organizing your peers against him will work only if you can successfully take his job. Think smart.

Answer 10

do the job as asked to the best of your ability but come half 4 or whatever your knock time is to down tools or whatever and walk away. he wants to act a prick you do your set time and let that knob finish the work. nothing puts the wind up a bosses **** than like not being able to reach a deadline or get a job finished. i used to work in a place, turn up for work 1/2 hour early to have my coffe first but as soon as i signed in this wannabee boss would be "need ya to do this do that and this" not so much as a "good morning first". i would reply "yeah yeah yeah" go to the tea room light up a smoke turn to page 3 and sip my coffee. come 8 i would bolt out finish every job i could and leave him with nothing, the big boss would see him stand with his hands in his pockets looking around lost. senior management hate junior management to do nothing. i seen my site manager with a brush in his hands today brushing up, and he's the big boss!

Answer 11

There comes a point where you must consider leaving. Easier said than done, but the best choice if things don't improve. Also, my advice a former hiring manager in finance, is to consider LTS Advisors, there website is www.leanrtosucceed.biz and their blog [e-mail]. Good luck.

Answer 12

Been here... and survived.



My boss was a Director in the company...absolute hell to work for, and he involved the HR dept on his side

I kept a record of his behaviour towards me, (taped) I was blamed for everything, including the last war.

You will get nowhere talking to him, these types are bullys.

I was encouraged by a fellow Director to consult a Lawyer and employment laws...to make it watertight...

(Ok he had somthing to gain on this guys fall) but who cares. I wanted help.



When I had enough material, my lawyer contacted the company chairman and I had a meeting with the Chairman, explaining the bullying that was going on to me and others



Result: my boss was reprimanded and he lost the support of his colegues, as no one wanted involved with a legal challenge. and a spotlight on otherthings which go on in all companies.



Ok, he wasnt too pleased with me, but I got my life back.

It takes courage to take him on, but it worked out good for me.



The chairman and other Directors dont wont to be exposed to bad press

If you are going to bite , then no half measures, cos your only going to get one chance at it.

But u must work and use the law if its going to have any chance.

What have u got to loose?..your job, but you could be going to loose that anyway.

Answer 13

just look for another job..while you still work there. when you get it..go up to him and tell him all about negative side that he have, and quit. hey maybe the man will offer you a increase and try change for you, if he do like your work. but usually a man like that won't change even if you do confront him now. you Will just get more headaches. go for peace of mind.

Answer 14

Either you can accept the fact that job security is becoming much harder to acquire these days and stop whining -or- quit your job and find another power hungry boss to work for. It never gets any better so, like my training instructors told us in basic training, shut up, suck it up, press on, and drink some water.

Answer 15

talk to him the same way he treats you, and if you can't

get it done, tell him you are only ONE person and there

is ONLY eight hours to get it done. For some reason

someone out there thinks that treating employees like

crap is they way to run businessess now. There some

training school out there I swear.

Answer 16

slip a bunch of laxative into his drink ex. morning coffee and then tell him someone is doing something very bad in the janitors closet and when he goes to check lock him in. Let him crap himself and then see is he stays on his power trip. Yeah, you just lost your job. But what a way to go. Plus, you can find a better job where you are better appreciated.

Answer 17

Why don’t you get another job your boss doesn’t sound like the type who really cares about what you think anyways and would probably just laugh in your face.

Answer 18

i left my job when i was faced with the same situation



how about you seek union advice or get a pettition going about his behavour



failing that an annonomous letter letting him know how you feel

Answer 19

continue to provide what ever is wanted

continue to provide plenty of rope

educate the person on how to tie a Knoose

make sure they have their resume up to date

Answer 20

Is there a Human Resources Department where you work? If so, report him.

Answer 21

you could do it the write way and lodge a grievance against him or the better way find some really bad crap out about him really dig those skeletons out and use them against him humiliate him

Answer 22

Work at becoming indispensable to him. This puts the boot on the other foot and You in control.

Answer 23

feed him electricity

Answer 24

I WOULD STAY AS CALM AS POSSIBLE WHILE SEEKING A NEW JOB

Answer 25

hand in your resignation and leave.