The Unpredictable Boss
At times, it can be intriguing or even entertaining to talk about your endearing boss (pun intended), who you believe you have a grasp on but is constantly unpredictable, sensitive, and prone to disappearing suddenly. Perhaps they hail from a lineage of magicians and have perfected the art of disappearing, replacing pulling rabbits out of hats with performing vanishing acts out of their briefcases.
Working for such a boss can be quite an adventure. You never know what you’re going to get. One day, they’re laughing and joking with you, and the next day, they’re sulking in their office and refusing to speak to anyone. It’s like trying to navigate a minefield! Although we should not compare minefields to work situations, considering the geopolitical scenario, they can be insensitive and potentially triggering. But, as they say, laughter is the best medicine. So, let’s take a moment to laugh at some of the antics of the unpredictable and oversensitive boss.
1. The Houdini Act
On some days, your boss may be present and provide feedback or instructions, even if it’s not always necessary. However, on other days, they seem to vanish into thin air. Despite your attempts to contact them through calls, emails, and even asking around, no one seems to know their whereabouts. It feels as though they’ve disappeared completely.
2. The Hypersensitive Behavior
Comparisons between your boss and your exes can be drawn into situations where even the slightest mistake is taken personally, leading to their withdrawal and sulking behavior. It can be a scary situation as you’re left wondering what you did wrong, and despite your attempts to mend things, they may have retreated to their office. It’s a situation that can feel reminiscent of past romantic relationships.
3. The Overreactive Acts
Your boss responds to your innocent question about who will play what role on the team by acting as though you have just insulted their entire family. They start to get upset, and you’re left wondering what you did wrong. Your boss repeatedly reminds you of the sin you committed long ago by asking a question that is too direct.
4. The Mirage (not the Mirage 2000)
To be honest, in the corporate world, promises are often broken, yet you find yourself eagerly anticipating the rewards your boss has promised you, such as a promotion, raise, or bonus. However, when the promised reward fails to materialize, you wonder why it was promised in the first place. When you try to approach your boss for clarification, they seem to have vanished into thin air, as though the promise was never made at all.
5. The Chameleon
While a chameleon changes its colors only when necessary, your boss changes their moods even when it’s unnecessary. They can be happy and cheerful one moment, as perceived by the outside world, and suddenly become angry and irritable the next moment. It’s as if you’re interacting with a completely different individual every time you encounter them.
6. Non-Decisive Acts
It can be challenging to work for a boss who is constantly indecisive. Such bosses may also tend to forget what they instructed earlier, or they may lack a clear understanding of what is happening within the organization. This can lead to confusion and frustration among employees, who may feel that their work is not being valued or that they are not receiving clear guidance. A consistently indecisive boss can make it difficult for their team to make progress and achieve their goals, which can ultimately harm the organization as a whole.
Ultimately, having an unpredictable and hypersensitive boss can present a challenging work environment. However, if we can find humor in their idiosyncrasies and shortcomings, we may be able to make the most of the situation. Perhaps someday, our boss will pleasantly surprise us by staying present and consistent for longer than a single day!
