What do you do if your boss is an idiot, but the boss of your boss thinks he is great...and if your boss being an idiot impacts your work so much that you can't get anything done? You know, I mean the kind of idiot that will try to get credit for everything that goes right, but as soon as something goes wrong, he reflects the blame to all people from his team?
Been there, done that. The answer really depends on your threshold for annoyance, as well as how long you can reasonably expect the same people to stay in their current jobs (in larger companies, people move around more - you could just wait it out. I've seen this approach work before). My story is that I got a new supervisor after a week at a new company. This person was a female version of the pointy-haired boss in Dilbert - I just could not stand her anymore, so I left after about 3 months. Of course, that was a different job market back then - don't know if I'd be so fickle nowadays. Good thing I left, because I'd still be working for her 2 years later had I stayed - and I have done really well where I'm at now. Mine sounds very similar to your experience - all of us "low level" employees knew she was an idiot. But everybody abover her thought she was a genius (I was once told she was "overqualified" for her position & that the company was lucky to have her). I'm still scratching my head over how she snowed everyone so well (esp. given that she was not too bright) - but at least I can do it in rerospect, rather than still in the same position. Good Luck.
My workplace is quite Dilbertian, thank you. If you can find a better job in this marketplace, do so. Just be careful. Get an idea of what you're getting into before you get out of your current situation. Uh, yeah. You might just go from Dilbert 2002 to Dilbert 2003.
Jackie, I know how you feel, man. It is really bizarre at where I work at when it comes to the org chart. In reality, I report to a guy that is great and one of my best friends that I have met since working at my present company. On paper, BOTH me and him answer to this guy who is a complete suckup and is an idiot. I am fortunate that he is just my boss on paper, but it can still be annoying at times when he gives me busy work (then I can't post here ). The problem is that your boss has probably sucked up to someone big in mgmt that they don't care if he is an idiot. They just love getting their ego stroked. Let me ask you this question: Does your boss kiss the ass of someone in high mgmt?? If he doesn't, do you feel comfortable going to someone in high mgmt to let them know that you think your boss is an idiot?? It probably won't solve your problem, but it will make you feel better. Other than that, I would either find another job (but make sure I had it before quitting your present one) or I would bide my time and hope that someone in high mgmt will figure out what you knew all along...that your boss is an idiot. Tough, tough situation to be in.....I feel for you.
My last boss was an absolute idiot. Those of us who felt he was a tactless, incompetent schmuck started a covert, grassroots operation to sway public opinion on him (which was very positive). No slandering... no lies... just the real facts. After 1 year's time, even top management hated him. The doofus saw the writing on the wall and left to take a $150,000 job (and a large bonus!) with a tobacco company. I know he much he makes at his new job because the idiot left his offer sheet in the fax machine (before he announced his resignation, too). Justice prevailed, and the little guy won. I heard that towards the end, he wanted to fire me (because he hated me, not because of my performance), so I feel no remorse about what was done. I guess it was him or me, and I'm still here. Then again, that clueless ******* is making more money now than he did before. Only in America., I tell ya..
Sun Tsu, The Art of War "He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. " What you do is just kiss up like hell to this boss and become his bestest bestest buddy. Ya gotta get into the mind of this fool and figure him out. This will give you the proper preparation to enter the next phase. What exactly that next phase will entail I do not know. But after you get into this guy's head, all kinds of great ideas and opportunities will appear right before your eyes. Maybe you'll talk him into just leaving the firm to pursue his longtime dream of becoming a hairdresser; or maybe you'll find out he's been embezzling from the firm and be able to get him busted. The answers will come my friend, just start doing your homework.
Get a new boss. What I do, how much I make and who I report to are my 3 biggest criterias I have in a job. I work for a large company and movement is ok'd. It took me 4 years from the day I started to line everything up: The first year I changed departments to a state of the art shop. The 3rd year I changed bosses because I didn't care for my old boss. Then after 1 year with my new boss, he's taken care ($) of me so well I can't go anywhere else. Right now I like what I do, I am comfortable with what I make and I like (and respect) who I report to. Life is good!
Put acid in the coffee. It is totally tasteless and he will lose his mind at work and get fired. I would go with five hits. Just put the pieces of paper in his drink, swirl, and remove the paper.
Make a list that talks about all the instances where he has stolen credit, and placed undue blame. Then, send it up the food chain annonomously in the form of a letter to all of his bosses. Rat him out. DaDakota
I want to support this model. It's classic mafia. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies even closer.
