THERE IS A HELL! - - - IT IS CALLED RETAIL LIFE SUCKS – LIFE IS NOT FAIR GET OVER IT | Page 2

LIFE SUCKS – LIFE IS NOT FAIR GET OVER IT  Causes dissention among staff members by his or her actions and comments. Reader comments also made the point that a lot of bad boss behaviour is enabled, or at least allowed, by the boss's bad boss. These comments provide a snapshot about what employees believe makes a bad boss. Listen and learn or listen and commiserate. For the full flavour of the comments - I can't capture them in a summary – But let me add from my own experience:  Brings up past transgressions months later.  Does not have a clue as to the definition of performance versus behaviour  Can’t deal with intelligent employees who disagree or have their own thoughts/opinions  Is dishonest  Overbearing in expectations  Does not communicate expectations or goals  Ignores people and/or plays favourites with staff – superstar today, black hole the next  Loves brownnosers and tattletales  Lack of integrity, breaks promises  Complains and does not solve problems  Can’t handle the truth or perceptions about the organization  Uses people without reward or recognition Is your boss a liar, a cheat, a swindler or just plain sneaky in how he or she operates? This is the most common and clear way a boss can break our trust. But beyond the secret conversations, hidden bank accounts/bonuses, broken promises and back-office deals, what are some of the more subtle things a boss can do that would prove to be unethical? And how can we tell? Here are a few good warning signs:  How does your boss treat your co-workers? If your boss is playing nice with you, but back-stabbing your co-workers, be warned. While we might like to think we are special, the reality is that we are likely no different than our co-workers. Your boss just simply hasn’t gotten to you yet.  How does your boss choose vendors and/or make deals with outsiders? Does your boss have a “fair” process for deciding who is going to win his/her business or is the decision based on who has the best box seats, similar collegiate affiliations, and mutual back-scratching? If those are the rules they are playing by with outsiders, what happens if they apply those same rules internally? Can you play… or more importantly, do you want to?  Does your boss keep the BIG promises? I’m not talking about little promises that bosses make that get broken (Ex: he or she can’t meet with you for lunch due to a last minute conflict, he/she couldn’t make the conference call or meeting because of an emergency, etc…). I’m talking about the BIG promises. Did your boss promise you a promotion, raise or significant opportunity and now pretends as if that conversation never happened? If that is the case, watch out. This may be the dodie ste®eo p®odu©tion ™ Page 2 of 5