Is Your Boss Toxic?

You may not get along with your boss 100 percent of the time. You may have disagreements here and there. But sometimes it goes beyond that where you actually have a boss who is toxic. In this case, it can make your job very unpleasant and create a lot of friction within your workplace. Here are some signs that you have a toxic boss.

Only Looks After Themselves

Selfishness is a common theme among these types of individuals. Preston Ni M.S.B.A explains in Psychology Today that they’re quick to exploit employees to fulfill their selfish needs. This may include having others complete tasks that go beyond their immediate job description with some examples being:

  • Completing inappropriate chores
  • Having employees perform personal errands
  • Working on “pet projects”

He also adds that these tasks are often asked to be performed without pay or acknowledgment.

Takes Credit for Team’s Accomplishments

A well-intentioned boss may accept praise, but they won’t make it all about them. Instead, they’ll be quick to point out how the entire team contributed. However, a toxic boss will take all the glory for something even if they weren’t a key contributor.

This often boils down to feelings of inferiority or an attempt to move further up the company ladder without putting the effort forth. Either way, it can be frustrating for everyone else.

Doesn’t Take Feedback

Working in a management position usually involves giving a lot of feedback to others. It’s part of the job description. But you’ll often find a toxic boss is quick to identify the weaknesses of others but is unwilling to take feedback about their own shortcomings. And having this hypocritical mindset can really take a toll on the workplace.

Controlling

Finally, there’s the issue of control. There’s a tendency for micromanaging where a toxic boss wants to manage every little detail of a project. They want control over even the smallest of decisions and like to rule with an iron fist—often to the point that it creates resentment among team members.

The Negative Impact

“Not surprisingly, people working for a toxic boss experienced lower rates of job satisfaction,” writes psychotherapist and author Amy Morin. “But even more alarming, employees’ office-placed misery spilled over into their personal lives too.” It even puts you at a greater risk of suffering clinical depression. So if you find yourself in this type of situation, it’s wise to alert other company leaders or consider finding a new company to work for.

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