Horrible Boss?

Don’t leave your job
    just because your boss is angry with you.
Remaining calm solves great problems.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 

 

Ever had a boss who made you absolutely miserable?  You know, that boss that during staff meetings you dream of their ultimate excruciatingly and very public demise, possibly involving boiling lava, pitchforks, and some ravenous carnivorous brain beetles ?  The one that makes you yell vile profanities in your mind and you are afraid that one day you will say them out loud.

 

I've had bosses like that before.  As a matter of fact, the absolute worst one was the senior pastor of a church where I once worked.  When he entered the building, you could sense a disturbance in the force.  The closer he got to the office area, the birds outside would flee.  This person was OCD about being OCD and not afraid to berate the staff for the slightest perceived error.  It was a situation where I dreaded going to work.  My sweet bride would remind me that I didn't have to agree with the pastor, just do my job to the best of my ability. The best day I had in that position was the day I left.

 

But as horrible as that person made the job, I learned some valuable lessons.  

•  Chances are the horrible boss is not going to change.  But I can change MY interactions with the horrible boss. 
• Realize that they are the way they are for a reason.  Perhaps God is reminding me that I need to make some changes.  Perhaps it is so I can learn patience under fire.  Perhaps it is so I can learn how not to act.  Perhaps, and this is the truly painful part, I really am in need of correction for my attitude, performance, timeliness, accuracy.
• If my boss is upset with me about my attitude, I need to look at the attitude I show toward others as well (who haven't said anything to me about it, but have become distant).  Everyone likes to believe they are in the right and anyone who disagrees is in the wrong (we are NOT perfect and shouldn't act as though we are).

Here are the words of wisdom shared with me by a very wise person: "Only person you can change is you! So make the changes you need to make and don't be stupid enough to think you have nothing that needs changing. You can't change anyone else, but you can change how YOU react to THEM! Don't be resentful.  Don't be angry. And for goodness sake, don't let your mouth run free!"

Have a horrible boss?  Think on this...you are someone else's boss, so take care.  Could be your spouse who adores you, could be your child who needs to learn to become self-sufficient, could be your pet.  You are the boss to someone else, so make sure you set the example!