Home Location Schedule Ministries Staff News

Working for an 'impossible' boss
By Mike Taylor
Staff Writer and Trainer for Christian Financial Concepts

"Sharon, I need this revised before you leave," demanded Mr. Jones as he thrust the papers at her. She glanced at the clock: 4:55 P.M. For the sixth time in two weeks, Sharon would have to work overtime due to her boss' disorganization. And she was sick of it. "But Mr. Jones, it's..." she began to explain. "I need it now," bellowed the rotund, red-faced boss, storming back into his office.
Sound familiar? Across America, many workers struggle to cope with unreasonable, "impossible" bosses. One study found that poor supervisors are a chief cause of workplace stress, leading to lower productivity and quality, and increased absenteeism. [The Crazy-Making Workplace, by Dr. Archibald Hart, Servant Publications, Ann Arbor, MI, 1993, p. 105.]
Unreasonable bosses typically are too focused on results, resulting in a domineering or hyper-controlling management style. Outbursts of anger, blaming, and a general lack of respect for employees may also describe an emotionally unhealthy boss. If the relationship with your boss has reached an intolerable threshold, here are some Scriptural tips for survival.

(1) Examine yourself for responsibility. Are you contributing to the problem? In Matthew 7:5, Jesus sternly warns that you should "first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

(2) Document your complaint. Record the exact nature of your interaction with the boss. Be sure to capture the date, nature of the interaction, any witnesses who heard or saw what took place, the outcome of the encounter, and your perception of how things could have been handled differently by you and the boss.

(3) Pray for humility. According to Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." Ungodly behavior from your boss does not entitle you to retaliate with sinful actions. Much time in prayer over the matter can literally reap divine results and a humble spirit.

(4) Don't gossip; instead, communicate the problem directly to your boss. The temptation is to justify yourself by soliciting approval from coworkers. Going directly to your boss is more difficult, but Scripture teaches that we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Stick to the issues, don't attack the boss's character, and seek a "win-win" solution for you and the boss.

(5) Prepare alternatives. If you follow the steps above and nothing changes, at least four alternatives exist.
· Resolve to continue in your work and make the best of it.
· Seek to transfer to another department.
· Appeal your situation to your boss' supervisor.
· Start looking for another job.
The third step is obviously dangerous, since it most likely puts your job in jeopardy. Pursue this step only after seeking lots of godly counsel, fervent prayer, and a conviction that God is leading you to this step.

(6) Expect to suffer. Jesus warned that you will be persecuted for doing what's right (Matthew 5:10-12, John 15:18-20). His admonition was to "love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). That includes your boss. The Bible states that you find favor with God if you suffer unjustly (1 Peter 2:20); but if your own sinful actions result in suffering, your repentance becomes the primary step.

Unfortunately, there's no "one-size-fits all" answer to the problem of working for an impossible boss. God may be leading you to be the change agent in your office; He may be prompting you to move on to a new job where you can be more fruitful and productive for His sake. Regardless of how He leads, you can be confident of His presence (Joshua 1:8-9).
This article appeared in Christian Financial Concepts Money Matters - July/August 1997