Dealing with a Power Tripper

My previous boss is the same. I do not like getting near him as he really makes my life difficult. You're better than me in dealing with a boss like that. I tend to just keep my distance and avoid engaging into conversation with him. And when he does something bad to me, or makes fun of me, I would just go back to my desk without saying anything. I just keep everything in me. I know that he noticed that already and sometimes, he would start an informal conversation with me but I always choose to limit my answer so that the conversation will be shortened. And I learned that I should never look for him if he is in the conference room or in a meeting because I would be in real trouble. He likes making fun of and humiliate his staff especially if there are many people who would hear it.

I have been through that a few years back with my brother in law, since he owns the pharmacy where I was working. I just allow him to blab all he wants then leaves him talking to himself! I got so fed up hearing how GREAT he is!

I had a boss once where he wasn't only a power-tripper, he was also a micro manager. He would call us in his office back then and would have us stand in front of his desk and let us recite the status of whatever projects we were working on. This was when offices were just cubicles and everybody on the floor would see whatever he was doing. Respect has to be earned. Doing things like this does not earn any respect.

This is also my pet peeve. I always have problems with officers like this. My younger sisters can handle them well with ease. One time, this new power tripper called my sister and shouted all over her in front of the other employees. Once this Boss got back to her office, my sister followed her, closed the door and "Can I talk to you? You have no right to be talking to me that way." With all her class and dignity, my sister air her honest to goodness side on what she anticipates for a Boss and what she can commit to have a better working environment. Guess what? They ended up good friends. When this Boss resigned and went back to her home country, they still kept in touch. Moral of the story, talk to your Boss in private and express to them your concern professionally and not emotionally. If that did not work out, well you know what they say: "When you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!" I hope everything works out for you...

These days, we can take a specific course just on how to deal with these sorts of people. It doesn't involve anything nasty, but gives you tools to deal effectively with every situation for your continuing betterment & goodwill in the eyes of your boss & that of your company. It's not just about assertive behaviour, but more about using each situation to better your professional relationship & turning the whole situation around so that everyone benefits. You might feel that the situation is out of your control, but there are many things you can do to put it back under your control. I recommend you change tactics. I don't think being mean suits you somehow. Try to use what he's giving out for your benefit & try not to be affected or take personally anything he tries, or that you believe he tries on you. Always maintain professionalism & be task-focussed instead of people-relationship-emotion focussed. If he barks orders at you, my first instinct would be to reply with an equally loud "Sir, Yessir!". Down here, that would usually translate to a "yes boss!". Summarize your understanding of any lecture he delivers to you first before responding. Show you understand him first, not just say so. If he disagrees, then that often opens up dialogue. Or if you have better ideas or suggestions, you can mention those at the same time. Then show that you really appreciate the time, attention & energy he has given you - I'll leave that up to you! If it's power he wants, let him know by your behaviour that it is only you that can give it to him! Without willing subordinates, a boss is not a boss! Just as in life outside of work, always try to counter hatred, anger, etc with love. Fighting fire with fire just gets everyone burnt!

We normally have a one on one with our boss once a month so I get to speak with her alone. We discuss each other's concerns as well as provide feedbacks if there's any. It's a healthy way of keeping the communication line with my boss and i'm lucky to have a boss who takes feedbacks well be it negative or positive. The whole point is to help each other develop into better individuals. Personally I use sarcasm to power trippers and I burst their bubble whenever I get the chance. It's not a good thing though but at least they get the message. :)

Often times there are people out there that are great to be around not at work, or before they get a major promotion, and then afterwards especially at work become Big jerks. I work with a couple of them as well, and it is hard sometimes. They always are getting after people most of the time for even some of the same mistakes they would make and do if you traded them places. Or they just think they are HOT stuff and use their power to make everyone miserable. It is really a shame that their are so many people out there who tend to become this way, and their needs to be an easier solution for sure.

hi, if that will happen to me and feel that the boss like that,i will surely not afraid to speak against him,there are boss that used there power and position to intimidate us,because if i have that kind of boss,believe me i will never respect him.

Oh! I can fully relate with that. I think if you have an open door policy in your company, which will be a great room to give feedback on how he treats his subordinates. Just make sure you don't treat him bad just to be even. For sure there are some company rules in terms of employee relation that your HR department has a system to follow by the workers. The best thing you can do is to ignore him and do your best in your job. Who knows, someday you'll also be in the top management too. Smiling and not speaking when you don't have anything nice to say can help. Pray for harmony and peace of mind for him. The more irritated you are about his power tripping will only make him want to do more.

If you ask me i would definitely schedule a one on one talk.. His your boss and he should be the one who should show some respect especially to others.