Employees usually expect their boss to be authoritative and confident, someone they can look up to. But every so often, bosses come along who seem to lack that persona,” said Lynn Taylor, a workplace expert and author of “ Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.” When a manager lacks faith in their own skill set, or they don’t feel like others appreciate their capabilities, they can take it out on their subordinates.
“A lot of their confidence comes from their ability to control you and your behavior,” said Lawrese Brown, founder of C-Track Training, a workplace education company. There are a variety of tactics that these domineering bosses deploy to keep their direct reports under their control. Here are the telltale signs of an insecure boss –– and tips on how to deal.
They micromanage.
“When your boss is insecure, their ego and ego-investment is wrapped up in controlling you,” Taylor said. “They are worried about how you will perceive them, so they want to make sure you’re always doing exactly what they want.”
“When your boss is insecure, their ego and ego-investment is wrapped up in controlling you,” Taylor said. “They are worried about how you will perceive them, so they want to make sure you’re always doing exactly what they want.”
“They’re constantly looking over your shoulder,” Brown added. “They need constant reassurance that you’re following instructions and doing exactly what they want. They do this by constantly checking in with you, looking over your shoulder, constantly asking you questions –– ‘Did you finish that?’ ‘What do you think?’ –– and telling you what to do.”
“They’re constantly looking over your shoulder,” Brown added. “They need constant reassurance that you’re following instructions and doing exactly what they want. They do this by constantly checking in with you, looking over your shoulder, constantly asking you questions –– ‘Did you finish that?’ ‘What do you think?’ –– and telling you what to do.”
They withhold praise
“An insecure boss will withhold praise,” Taylor said. “They’re afraid that if you praise them, you’ll start to think you’re better than them.”
“An insecure boss will withhold praise,” Taylor said. “They’re afraid that if you praise them, you’ll start to think you’re better than them.”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
They criticize your work.
“An insecure boss is threatened by you,” Taylor said. “They’re worried that you’ll outshine them, so they’ll constantly criticize your work.”
“An insecure boss is threatened by you,” Taylor said. “They’re worried that you’ll outshine them, so they’ll constantly criticize your work.”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
They micromanage your schedule.
“An insecure boss will micromanage your schedule,” Taylor said. “They want constant reassurance that they know what you’re doing. They want to make sure you’re working all the time, and that you’re not working any personal time.”
“A lot of their confidence comes from their ability to control you and your behavior,” said Lawrese Brown, founder of C-Track Training, a workplace education company. There are a variety of tactics that these domineering bosses deploy to keep their direct reports under their control. Here are the telltale signs of an insecure boss –– and tips on how to deal.
They micromanage.
“When your boss is insecure, their ego and ego-investment is wrapped up in controlling you,” Taylor said. “They are worried about how you will perceive them, so they want to make sure you’re always doing exactly what they want.”
“When your boss is insecure, their ego and ego-investment is wrapped up in controlling you,” Taylor said. “They are worried about how you will perceive them, so they want to make sure you’re always doing exactly what they want.”
“They’re constantly looking over your shoulder,” Brown added. “They need constant reassurance that you’re following instructions and doing exactly what they want. They do this by constantly checking in with you, looking over your shoulder, constantly asking you questions –– ‘Did you finish that?’ ‘What do you think?’ –– and telling you what to do.”
“They’re constantly looking over your shoulder,” Brown added. “They need constant reassurance that you’re following instructions and doing exactly what they want. They do this by constantly checking in with you, looking over your shoulder, constantly asking you questions –– ‘Did you finish that?’ ‘What do you think?’ –– and telling you what to do.”
They withhold praise
“An insecure boss will withhold praise,” Taylor said. “They’re afraid that if you praise them, you’ll start to think you’re better than them.”
“An insecure boss will withhold praise,” Taylor said. “They’re afraid that if you praise them, you’ll start to think you’re better than them.”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
They criticize your work.
“An insecure boss is threatened by you,” Taylor said. “They’re worried that you’ll outshine them, so they’ll constantly criticize your work.”
“An insecure boss is threatened by you,” Taylor said. “They’re worried that you’ll outshine them, so they’ll constantly criticize your work.”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
“They’re always looking over your shoulder,” Brown said. “They’re constantly asking you questions, but they’re not giving you any praise or positive feedback. You’re constantly being reminded, ‘We need you, we need you, we need you.’”
They micromanage your schedule.
“An insecure boss will micromanage your schedule,” Taylor said. “They want constant reassurance that they know what you’re doing. They want to make sure you’re working all the time, and that you’re not working any personal time.”