Just Brenda: I have the worst boss ever

Let her have all the ideas she thinks she has, but after each idea, send her an email confirming your role in the idea.

Photo credit: Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • You already know she’s insecure – so just agree with the things she says, keep her in the loop, smile at her doing meetings and support her points – and continue to do exactly what you want, which is your job.
  • Your mental state will thank you for it, and she’ll believe you’re on her side – until you find another job and jump ship in a blaze of glory.

Dear Brenda,

Imagine I have the worst boss ever. She’s so insecure and keeps threatening to fire me, even though she knows I do my job. There are no complaints about my work form anyone else – to the point that she pretends other people on my team have complained about me. She says there’s something wrong with my attitude – but what does this matter if I get the job done?


Dear Unhappy Ursula –

This sounds like a damned if you do and a damned if you don’t situation. When your boss is insecure, you have basically two choices – you can suck it up and give her what she wants, or move on. Unless you’re willing to record everything, John Githongo style, and take her to HR (depending on whether your HR actually does its job or not) then this is what you’re going to have to be forced to do. You already know she’s insecure – so just agree with the things she says, keep her in the loop, smile at her doing meetings and support her points – and continue to do exactly what you want, which is your job. Your mental state will thank you for it, and she’ll believe you’re on her side – until you find another job and jump ship in a blaze of glory.