6 Things I Learned from Having 9 Bosses in 10 Years  

#BadBosses. It trends on Twitter and is often discussed in office break rooms across America. As someone who has reported to nine different bosses in a span of just 10 years, I’ve discovered that there is something you can learn from both your great and your not-so-great supervisors. These lessons—the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly situations I’ve encountered—have inspired me to be a better manager and mentor to my employees.

Ten years ago, when I decided to leave my career in television journalism, I took a job as a public information officer for a medium-sized suburb. I eventually became director of communications, reporting directly to the top management of the organization, the city manager. However, this fast-growing city had an even faster rate of turnover in that key leadership position.

While I encountered a lot of frustration with ever-changing goals, missions, and strategies, I also learned a lot about leadership and organizational culture. I eventually transitioned to the same position in another city, and two years into the job, I’m currently waiting patiently as the city searches for a new city manager. While in the first position, I reported to six different bosses; in this new organization, I’ve served two interim managers and one permanent manager with another on the way, all in less than 24 months.

Not every boss was bad; in fact, some were great. And each of them taught me something that has shaped my career and prepared me for a brighter future:

Learn from Their Mistakes
Observe the situations your supervisors face and pay close attention to how they respond and the outcome of their actions. If you hope to advance in your career, you will likely be faced with similar challenges. When they succeed, take note, and follow their example. Of course, they will also make mistakes. Learn from these mistakes so you don’t repeat them. Their mishap is an opportunity for your professional maturity.

Show Some Respect 
It can sometimes be difficult to respect a supervisor when you don’t agree with her way of doing business, his philosophy doesn’t match yours, or his skill level doesn’t meet your expectations. While you may not like the person, or feel that he or she doesn’t personally deserve your respect, you should always respect the position. Treat your supervisor and those above you in the chain of command with the respect the position deserves, even if the person has not earned it. This creates a more positive work environment, shows your subordinates and co-workers that you can act as a professional, and encourages a culture of respect in your organization.

Follow the Vision, or Find a New Leader
The organization’s vision and mission drive the work that you do, no matter the field. Your boss is likely one of the visionaries. If you can’t champion the vision put in place by your CEO, you should find a new job. People who don’t follow the leader’s vision are disruptive to the organization and will have a difficult time advancing ideas, initiatives, and their career. This does not mean you shouldn’t contribute new ideas, correct mistakes, or offer alternatives, but you should be able to be supportive of the administrator’s major initiatives and guiding principles.

Make Yourself Useful
The phrase may be something your mother would say, but it rings true in your career, as well. Your boss likely has a lot on his or her plate, and greater responsibilities and expectations than you do, because of his or her position in the organization. Use your skills to make his or her role easier, without being asked. If you’re great at organizing, offer to put his systems in order. If you have an eye for design, offer to create a better visual for her reports. People who help others and give of their talents are remembered and considered valuable. Your assistance may lead to a seat at the table in an important meeting, or a new role better suited to your skill set.

Years ago, a young lady who worked in our parks department, but did not work directly for me, offered to assist me with the layout of a report. Less than six months later, I created the positon of communication specialist for her, because she had proven her talent. Now, she’s a marketing director for another organization and on the road to even more success. It all started when she made herself useful in a new way.

Visualize the Outcome and Make Note 
Every one of us will face a bad boss at some point. If they’re truly bad, and you’re good at what you do, you will likely be able to weather the storm. But it will take some effort on your part. Supervisors who are not truthful or who don’t stand up for their employees exist. If you work for one of these people, forethought and documentation should be your new best friends.

Before you make a big decision, visualize all possible outcomes, weigh the pros and cons, seek advice from other professionals at work or on blogs, or do a survey of best practices from other organizations. Know your organization’s policies on the issue, and if necessary, talk it over with your boss. If your boss is less than truthful or does not have your back, ask questions and provide input in writing. Send emails and document your conversations to reference later if challenged. You never want to play “gotcha” with a boss, but you do need to be proactive if there is a history of mistrust, and you need to be able to articulate and provide documentation for your actions and rationale if confronted.

One of my bosses could never recall giving me permission to proceed on projects or remember approving plans. When others asked who authorized my decisions, he never remembered that he did. To overcome this challenge, I changed the way I communicated with him. He never responded to my emails in writing, so I began to print the memos I wrote, leaving a space for his signature. This one simple act changed our relationship. He was happy to sign the documents, and if he had questions, we discussed them face-to-face until he was comfortable signing. I always had a written, signed document showing his approval of my planned actions. It was a win-win.

Don’t Burn Bridges 
You and your boss may butt heads, but that’s no reason to sever a relationship, even if one of you moves on. You may not be the best team, but there are certainly things you can do to assist each other whether you work together or not. Even when work relationships are strained, try to find some common ground and work to keep your connection. There are a lot of people in my past who weren’t the easiest supervisors to work for, but they provided me valuable tips and connections once our work relationship ended, and I’ve done the same for them. Don’t allow workplace disagreements to define your professional relationship forever.

Your #badboss stories and experiences may differ, but these tips should help you begin to forge better working relationships with your organization’s leaders and to find your place in your workspace. Do you have a #badboss story or advice from a #superbsupervisor? Share them in the comments below.