Workers complain about their bosses, and bosses do same about their workers. Nobody is perfect, there’s no debating that, but some people are better than others. Put differently, there is no perfect boss, and there is no best boss; but there are bosses that every worker abhors.
This article is not for workers to identify the type of bosses they have. It is rather for bosses to identify themselves and understand what their workers think of them. Hopefully, those that need to adjust their leadership style will do so.
There is also need for workers to read this so that when they find themselves in managerial positions, they will be better managers. You know that most workers that complain about bad bosses turn out bad bosses when they have the chance.
Types of Bosses
#1. The Father of All: This type is usually found among the elderly. Their workers are mostly younger and they call their bosses “Daddy”, “Grandpa” or any other endearing names. This boss treats his workers like he is truly their father. He reprimands them orally when they derail. He rarely gives queries and punishments, and he is not quick to sack any worker. But he doesn’t tolerate laxity in the office and he expects that every worker should know what to do and what not to do. One thing about this type of boss is that he usually gives his workers the chance to do their works properly, and when they don’t, he hires someone else to get rid of them.
#2. The Nosy One: This type isn’t inquisitive. Being inquisitive means trying to find out something that will be of good use to you. But being nosy is in the negative sense. It involves trying to find out something about another person that you can use against him. Nosy bosses usually try to find out things about their workers that will be used as a bait to hold them down. These bosses always seem friendly and ask workers personal questions about themselves and their families. The information they gather isn’t used as sources of growth, but as weapons for blackmail.
#3. The Barker: Ever had a boss that keeps telling you that your job could go if you don’t deliver within the specified time? Well, that’s the threatening boss you have there? There’s something good about this boss, he only uses that threat to get you to do your job. In as much as this boss can be draining at times, he is a good boss. You know why? His threat is made out of fear that his workers may do something that will cost them their jobs. So, he makes sure he keeps reminding them of that so they don’t face the music. Anyway, people erroneously leave this boss and may only end up with boss number #4.
#4. The Sacker: This is the one to fear most. He enjoys dishing out sack letter. Now, I’m not saying that ‘bad’ employees shouldn’t be disengaged; but The Sacker doesn’t have time to differentiate between the ‘bad’ ones and the rookies. For him, once you don’t meet up, you are out. Oh, and one more thing, he doesn’t bark. You might not even see him around often; he has his monitoring spirits.
#5. The Make-It-Official: Alright, I don’t really have a name for this type yet. But, have ever encountered that type of boss that wants everything done officially? Even a call in the morning to tell him your child fell ill in the night isn’t accepted – you must put it in writing and bring it to the office, wait for approval from him and then decide if your child will go to hospital or not (*eyes rolling*). If you don’t do this, you meet your query whenever you resume duty. To the bosses here, “this is an office, so everything must be done officially”.
#6. The Angry Bird: They always look angry. They hardly smile; in fact their smile looks worse than their frowns. They answer greetings with grunts and nods. They look at you with a ‘sneer’ and make you wonder what you’ve done that morning. Anyway, these bosses are very wonderful people. Don’t mind those faces they put up; they are just what they are – faces. Their faces alone control their workers because, trust me, no one wants to be invited into the office to look at them – you will convict yourself even before you find out the reason for the invitation.
#7. The Kill-Joy: For some reasons this boss doesn’t want laughter in the office. To him, if you laugh when you are supposed to ‘face’ your work, he’s paying you for nothing. When you get close to your office and you hear your colleagues laughing and gisting, it means Oga no dey. But immediate you ‘smelt’ him coming closer to the office, all laughter ceases. Henceforth, the only communication in the office is low murmurs on very, very official matters. You will only notice you have been holding your breath all through the day once your boss leaves for a meeting or for the day.
#8. The Ingrate: Alright, I know that employers are the ones doing employees favours, right? That’s the usual thing around here. But employers need to remember that they reached out to others to help them build up their companies because they couldn’t do that alone. So, bosses need to show some levels of appreciation to their workers. But we have those that never say ‘thank you’ to their workers because they believe they are paying them – which they think is already a favour. No matter what an employer does (even those that go out of their ways to get the job well done), they never show any form of appreciation. Well, if you are a boss, please make it a point of duty to tell your workers how grateful you are to have them building your dream with you.
#9. The Debtor: This one enjoys owing his workers. I thank God I’ve never worked with this type before, at least not as someone that the payment of my salary depends on. What this boss does is that when he recruits a new staff, he will tell him (the new staff) that he is not to discuss his salary details with his colleagues. He then pays this new worker for the first two or three months and then closes up. From the fourth month onwards, the worker will start alternating free months and pay months. As time goes on, it will be two months free work, one month pay work (if you know you know). This will continue until the worker starts wondering if he applied for voluntary work or something. The worst is he can’t discuss this with his colleagues because the company has rules. And he can’t meet with his boss because he will tell him off. That will be the period he (the worker) will understand why the company’s staff turnover rate is high. Well, if you are working for this type of boss, just find your way out, he’s not going to treat you differently. As for bosses like this, you might be enjoying your ‘wealth’, but it’s just a matter of time before your business packs up.
#10. The Motivator: This is the ‘bae’. If you find a boss like this, even if he’s The Barker too, don’t go anywhere until you’re ready to build up your own or move to a much better organisation. You know what I like about this type of bosses? They keep reminding their workers that they are not recruited to work in their respective offices and positions forever, but that they should use that as their ladders to the top. They give their workers the chance to improve on themselves and grow. They understand the importance of staff trainings. They set high standards for their workers and allow them to catch up. They hardly ‘sack’ staff, they only ‘replace’ weak ones (lol). Actually, what they do is allow those staff that can’t keep up with the office demands to fizzle out – they sack themselves.
Hope you know that a boss can be the combination of many bosses in one. Whatever type of combination you choose, if #10 isn’t there, know that your business is in trouble. Be a good boss. Don’t be afraid your workers will take you for granted. Set high standards for your workers and give them chance to catch up. Remember, they are there to help you build your dream – so treat them well.
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