Most people have experienced at least one terrible boss throughout their career.
They’re scarily memorable – but they can serve as fuel for us to be better bosses ourselves, when our times come.
LinkedIn has looked into what the most ‘scary’ workplace management styles are – such as the ‘ghost boss’ and the ‘vampire boss’.
Charlotte Davies, a career expert at LinkedIn, says: ‘A bad manager can not only disrupt our work but can also seriously hinder career progression, so it’s important to know how to deal with them and when to ask for help.
‘All managers and workplaces are different, but overall the best strategy for dealing with any issues with your boss is being clear and honest about your needs and feelings.
‘You can keep it respectful and professional without letting it fester – it’s always best to address any issues as early as possible.’
Here’s what they all mean and how to work around them.
Do any of these sound familiar?
The ghost boss
Who are they? The boss who leaves you to do all the work, providing you with little to no guidance.
How to handle them:
Charlotte says: ‘Having an absent manager can be a very frustrating and alienating experience.
‘While dealing with a “ghost boss” can be tricky, it can also be an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills by taking charge of the situation and show initiative in running projects while your boss is nowhere to be found.
‘Be specific with your boss around where you need more guidance, and pick your battles – for example if there’s an important project coming up.
‘It can also be a good idea to find a mentor within your company who you can go to for career advice if you feel you’re not getting this from your boss.’
The vampire boss
Who are they? The vampire boss messages you at unsavoury hours about work, expecting a quick reply.
How to handle them:
We’ve all had to work late as a one-off for an important meeting or presentation, but if your boss regularly tries to reach you outside working hours, you know something isn’t right.
Charlotte says: ‘Setting clear boundaries and pushing back in these scenarios is difficult, but crucial if you want to avoid burnout further down the line.
‘Make sure to set these boundaries early on into your career and clearly communicate your limits.’
The trick or treat boss
Who are they? They can be calm and measured one minute, then angry and irrational the next. Just like Jekyll and Hyde, you never know which mood to expect and what will set them off.
How to handle them:
LinkedIn’s research found that 60% of UK professionals say that reaching out to a colleague or boss for an open conversation when feeling angry helps them to calm down.
Charlotte says: ‘Try to stay calm and diffuse the situation by asking for a private meeting, where you can resolve any issues they may have and address how their behaviour is making you feel.
‘If this is a continuous problem rather than a one-off outburst, and your boss is harassing or bullying you, make sure to report this to HR or a senior member of staff.’
The poltergeist boss
Who are they? ‘The poltergeist’ silently moves meetings and deadlines around and edits your work without consulting you.
How to handle them:
Charlotte says: ‘Deadline changes and diary shifts without your knowledge can be extremely frustrating.
‘Openly communicating with your boss and letting them know how their behaviour affects you is key.
‘It’s possible that there’s an external source, such as a client or senior stakeholder, who is moving the goal-posts while your manager tries to keep up, so understanding their perspective can help realign your common goals.’
The micromanaging monster boss
Who are they? The type of boss who feels the need to control every aspect of your work and never lets you make decisions or own projects without running it by them first.
How to handle them:
Charlotte says: ‘Being micromanaged at work is a very de-motivating experience. More often than not, this stems from a manager’s own insecurity about letting go.
‘This can be a hard pattern to break, but setting clear goals and sharing progress updates can help.
‘For example, sending a weekly written update at a time that suits you will help you to take back some agency and demonstrate that you’re capable of being trusted to run projects, while also helping with your career development.’
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