Plus 6 Goals For Effectively Dealing With A Difficult Bully Boss
Identifying and dealing with a bully manager is today’s topic.
I worked for a bully manager once during my 30-year career. Dealing with my bully boss was one of the worst experiences during my professional working days.
The stress and anxiety caused by my abusive supervisor negatively impacted nearly every aspect of my life. The good news is there are constructive ways employees can address the issue and make positive changes.
Discussing my experiences with a workplace bully manager will help you in a similar situation. In a nutshell, bully management is one of the worst managerial methods I can think of.
With that introduction in mind, let’s dive into the 17 warning signs.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
How To Identify A Bully Manager
The first step to dealing with a bully manager is identifying whether or not you have one. Here are some issues to look out for.
A Bully Manager Is Abusive To You And Others
A bully manager utilizes harmful tactics directed at you and other team members. Their demeaning words and actions control you and undermine your self-worth.
Working for a bully manager can make you feel powerless, alone, and stressed. Furthermore, their actions may negatively impact your physical and mental health in the worst cases.
Bully managers demonstrate many different behaviors, including the following 7 signs:
- Use intimidation tactics
- Spread false rumors
- Intrude on staff privacy
- Isolate staff rather than team building
- Manipulate rather than empower
- Speak and act negatively toward staff
A Bully Manager Seeks Control By Creating An Unstable Work Environment
Bully managers in the workplace thrive on chaos and uncertainty, not productivity, creating an unstable work environment. The constant turmoil and instability give them a feeling of control.
Conversely, they are unable or unwilling to implement a clear framework for goal setting, roles, or responsibilities. Thus, a bully boss must micromanage their staff to achieve results.
The toxic work environment leaves team members feeling off-balance. It is common for staff members to feel anxious about the constantly shifting expectations.
When you observe the following characteristics in your workplace, you may be dealing with a bully manager.
- Unstructured environment
- Loosely defined roles and responsibilities
- Erratic behavior toward others
- Micromanagement
- Daily uncertainty and chaos
A Bully Manager Undermines Your Contributions, Blocking Your Success
A bully manager will disregard your accomplishments and block your potential for advancement.
Rewards and positive leadership recognition go to the subservient. At the same time, independent thinkers and potential leaders are left unsure of their standing.
The bully’s constant criticism and mind games breed self-doubt, eroding your confidence.
Isolated from positive feedback, you and other employees feel defeated. Morale and performance inevitably suffer under managers who bully.
The following bullying behaviors provide a strong indication you are being subjected to managerial bullying by a tough boss:
- Withholds tools and information
- Questions abilities and commitment
- Dismisses valuable contributions
- Withholds rewards and recognition
- Overlooks effective development goals
- Favors submissive employees
How To Deal With A Bully Manager In The Workplace – 6 Goals
Now you know how to identify a bully boss. Next, what can you do when you have one? Here are my recommendations regarding manager bullying prevention methods.
Keep A Journal And Document Your Bully Manager’s Actions
Take notes about how they treat you and what is happening in your workplace. Take time to reflect on your findings.
Focus on your behaviors and what you can control to improve the work environment. The details in your journal will also come in handy when pursuing some of the additional options below.
Practice Self-Care
Sleep enough, limit alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, and eat well to protect yourself. These things will keep your energy level as high as possible to handle the issues from managerial bullying.
Do Your Best Every Day
Since you must go to work, you should put your best foot forward. Work hard, stay positive, control your emotions, be calm, and act confidently.
Otherwise, bully managers in the workplace will thrive and capitalize on your weaknesses. Please don’t give them the pleasure of doing so.
Stand Up To Your Bully Manager And Speak Up For Yourself
The best thing I did when dealing with manager bullying was confront him about his behaviors.
It goes back to the days on the schoolyard playground. Most playground bullies are insecure cowards. They typically back down after being called out and challenged.
However, your workplace isn’t a playground. Thus, consider the consequences of your actions. You could be disciplined or lose your job for directly confronting your boss about their behavior.
If you move forward, meet privately, reference your journal, and provide specific examples of their unacceptable behavior. Be confident and clear about how your manager should treat you moving forward.
Solicit Help From Others
Next, consider enlisting the help of others. Once again, the details in your journal will help you to be factual and objective when seeking support from others.
One option is to see if your company has a third-party Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Such an organization can provide confidential support and assistance.
Internal options include human resources, your manager’s boss, or one of your manager’s peers.
Only you can know the best way to proceed when enlisting others for support. It depends on your company’s culture and your internal relationships within the company.
Leave Your Bully Manager Behind By Getting A New Job
When everything fails, dust off your resume and start your job search. Life is too short to remain in an unworkable situation dealing with a bully manager.
Thus, find a new job and manager that will respect your efforts. There are plenty of great organizations and people to work for.
Okay. That’s all I have for today. Please allow me to wrap up with some concluding thoughts.
How To Identify A Bully Manager And What To Do About It
Workplace bullying can make your life miserable. However, you are not powerless. Take the actions outlined in this article to make the best of the situation.
Everyone deserves to work in an environment founded on mutual respect, productivity, and leadership development.
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.