So you are looking for a new job since you quit your previous one because of that supervisor you had. But what if you get hired by a new company only to work for a supervisor who is exactly like your previous one? Having bad supervisors are pretty common in the workplace so to speak. The question really lies on how bad they really are: are they just bad to your tastes, or are they terrible and impossible to work with? You can’t go on quitting your job every time you come across someone like this for obvious reasons.
So how do you deal with problem supervisors then? On the other hand, studies show that sucking it up and continuing working for a bad supervisor cuts an employee’s productivity by half and contributes to the overall pull of the business. The problem with problem supervisors more than just being an employee problem is really a company problem. These types of bosses are counterproductive to the overall growth of the company, not to mention the individual worker too. Some supervisors do not deliberately try to be bad; they just can’t help it at times.
Most supervisors are in the position because they are good at the job required, not necessarily at managing people. It is therefore important that supervisors are promoted also on the basis of people skills, regardless if this is a part of his or her supervisor training eventually. People skills can of course be developed so it’s never too late. So as far as you are concerned, what you can do to counteract this counterproductive attitude is to understand that your supervisor is working under ignorance and that you have a responsibility to support her or him. You’ll be surprised at the results.
