4 Reasons To Love The Boss You Hate

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I’m not a big fan of the word “hate” but let me be honest: I’ve definitely felt some very, VERY strong negativity toward a few of my superiors in the past. Hey, I’m only human. This is probably one of the most common challenges I hear from professionals.

Why You Should Love A Boss You Hate

Working for someone you don’t like is the absolute worst. And yet, it can be a great learning experience if you approach it with the right attitude. Here are four reasons you should love the boss you hate:

1. Personal Insight

You can actually learn a lot about yourself in a situation like this. Consider the following questions:

• Why does this person get under your skin?
• What values are being stepped on here?
• How are you possibly contributing to the situation? (Ouch! Don’t skip this question; it will give you amazing insight.)
• What do you really want from a boss? Are you, perhaps, expecting too much?
• What kind of leader would YOU be?

2. Practice

Look, the business world is full of jerks. Consider this great practice for the future. You’re exercising patience and your ability to not take things personally. With practice, it gets easier.

3. Future Wisdom

After working for someone with whom you don’t click, you’ll be on the lookout for a better match in the future. Next time you’re interviewing for a new position, you’ll be more aware of the impact a supervisor has, and you’ll have more understanding of what you want in a boss. Perhaps you’ll see red flags you might have missed before.

4. Opportunity

I know this sounds a little nutty, but that jerk of a boss is giving you a great opportunity. You have the chance to adapt, to implement new strategies and, ultimately, build a bridge in some fashion. It might never be the perfect relationship, but there’s always a chance you can improve things. So, don’t give up! Look for openings to strengthen your partnership. Use your relationship building skills and develop new ones.

There is room for growth here.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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2 Comments

1. 

   Michele

   February 6, 2013 at 1:10 PM

   I did have a boss I “hated” and ended up leaving and messing up my entire career by quitting. Now I can’t find a job around close to my home. I still have hard feelings toward him but this article helped.

   Reply
2. 

   greg

   January 31, 2013 at 8:19 PM

   I’ve never had a boss I hated.

   Reply