Comments on: Boss from Hell: The Controlinator

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:31:30 +0000

Uch! That’s an uncomfortably non-helpful comment from a boss. She not only sounds controlling but also passive aggressive.

Sometimes, in a situation like this, it pays to sit with her in private and respectfully discuss what’s going on – and even ask for her help and guidance. The controllinator wants to be right, so you’ll never get anywhere unless you let her take charge of helping you “improve”. And together you set concrete goals that you can later show her you’re meeting. That gives her some ownership of your progress and maybe gets her to see you in a different light.

Not that this would work for sure – but in some cases it does help. If this doesn’t work, I wish you much luck in finding a better job as soon as you are able!

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:15:55 +0000

I was told on Friday in a one-on-one meeting that I have no self esteem. My controllinator has spent the last 7 months belitteling any knowledge that I bring to the table in a very aggressive way. She blocks my sales efforts and only speaks to me nicely when there is someone to witness her behavior so I can’t prove her obvious dislike for me. After her aggressive behavior she has made comments like “I thought we were all adults” and “you have no self-esteem”.

What a nightmare!

By: Ronnie Ann

Ronnie Ann — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:48:40 +0000

Thank you sand1 for sharing your story. Helps people feel better to know they aren’t alone and that there can be a happy ending to a horrible situation like the one you went through. Sorry you even had to experience that, but SO glad it turned out well!

By: sand1

sand1 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:20:36 +0000

I worked for one of these people and like everyone who ever worked there, I was ultimately fired. I told the group of managers — he didn’t have the guts to fire people by himself — how relieved and happy I was to have an excuse to leave a place where everybody was scared to death all the time. The managers were shocked as they had expected some kind of crying or drama. I had two little children to support at the time and they knew I needed the job pretty bad. Instead I left whistling. I ended up with another job that was much better. Thanks for reminding me. The people who kiss up and kick down are out there and they are awful.