Dealing With The Pointy-Haired Boss

By Barbara Bartlein

Few things are more discouraging that working for a Pointy Haired Boss. Inspired by the character from the Dilbert comic strip, he has come to represent all clueless managers, especially those technologically challenged. He is described by Dilbert author Scott Adams, as “every employee’s worst nightmare.” Unscrupulous and mean, his top priorities are the bottom line and looking good to his superiors.

The Pointy-Haired Boss:

• Can be spotted taking credit for other people’s ideas, projects, and work.

• Contradicts other members of his team to demonstrate how smart he is and that he is the boss.

• Reluctantly thanks his team or the people who actually did the labor

• Is technologically challenged but stays current on businesses trends but rarely understands them.

• Quickly adopts the hottest buzzwords and uses them to try to impress others with his business savvy.

• Gets excited over mission statements, strategic plans and teambuilding exercises.

• Regularly “ego surfs” by surfing the web to see how many times his name turns up.

• Occasionally blogs useless information just to see his name in print.

• Adds his two cents to the memos from the boss resulting in a “kudo loop” of meaningless e-mails.

• Masters creating confusion which keeps the focus off his own lack of accomplishment.

• “Stirs the pot,” with any office gossip. He is more interested in his own career than the organization.

• Making others look bad helps to elevate his position.

• Has no qualms about publicly embarrassing employees or belittling them in front of others.

To see Dilbert’s Boss in action, visit here.

Working for a PHB is discouraging and intimidating. The more exposure you have to the PHB, the less energy you feel. To counteract this negative energy, consider the following:

• Never work for someone you don’t admire. You spend too many hours at work to be stuck with a PHB. Ideally, your boss should be someone you can emulate and respect. You should look forward to going to work and feel supported.

• Look for employment where you can learn and be mentored. What types of learning experiences are available for you? The best employers are interested in the development of their employees and offer them opportunities for growth. Find people more successful than you and then offer to buy them a cup of coffee.

• If stuck with The Pointy-Haired Boss, limit exposure. If you are stuck with him, try to have as little contact as necessary. Practice the art of keeping out of sight and just doing your job. Avoid face to face meetings as much as possible.

• Put your name on everything you do. Don’t let him take credit for what your work; put your name on it. Make sure the upper management knows your accomplishments.

• Don’t be shy about taking credit for what you do. This is not the time for modesty or being humble. The PHB is not about to acknowledge your efforts so you have to. Don’t hesitate to make it clear that an idea or project was your work.

• Work with fellow employees to give each other credit. It’s time to band together for survival. A tight work team can survive the PHB with mutual support, humor and camaraderie.

• Nominate each other for awards and honors. Support other employees and make sure that they receive the recognition they deserve. They may return the favor.

• Put up Dilbert cartoons by your desk. It will help you keep a perspective. Maybe the boss will get a hint.

Barbara Bartlein, CSP is The People Pro and president of Great Lakes Consulting Group which helps businesses sell more goods and services by developing people. She can be reached at 888-747-9953 or by email at barb@thepeoplepro.com. Visit her Web site at www.ThePeoplePro.com.

Published in Networking Today, March, 2007