The Credit Stealer

This boss loves taking credit for her (his) staff's work as her (his) own. When the going she (he) finds one of her (his) staff to blame even if it is her (his) fault.

The Credit Stealer is a master at deceiving her (his) superiors into thinking that she (he) is brilliant. She (he) manipulates every good outcome to make it look like she (he) initiated it. She (he) never gives credit. This boss is dangerous since you can get fired if she (he) thinks it will save her (his) job.

The Criticizer

This boss doesn't like any ideas. He (she) only likes his (her) own. If you have a creative approach or a different way of doing something or a new suggestion, the criticizer will knock you down. He (she) has never heard an idea he (she) likes that wasn't his (her) own.

His (her) mission is to disagree with anything that is said. He (she) likes to be right, no matter what. The Criticizer will never give you positive feedback but will always jump on your mistake. His (her) favourite saying is "Bad idea."

The Insensitive

This boss has no idea that anyone else has feelings. She (he) says whatever she (he) wants whenever she (he) wants and as far as she (he) is concerned she (he) is allowed since she (he) is the boss. There is no filter or good judgment with her (him).

The notion of being politically correct or keeping some thoughts to oneself are not something she (he) practices. The Insensitive crosses the line when it comes to being offensive. As far as she (he) is concerned the staff is too delicate and should toughen up.

The Micro Manager

This boss does not trust any of the staff. His (her) base belief is that none of the staff know what they are doing. The Micro Manager must watch his (her) staff's every move. This boss will rummage through his (her) staff's desk to find out information.

Trust in his (her) staff is practically non-existent. He (she) must know at all times what the staff is working on. If staff is on lunch or break then this boss keeps a strict eye on the clock and scolds his (her) staff for lateness as miniscule as a minute.

The Tyrant

This boss is a ruler who exercises power in a harsh, cruel manner. She (he) does not care about her (his) staff. Her (his) main goal is to get the job done. If the staff has to stay late and work in unreasonable conditions that is not an issue. The Tyrant's mantra is "the staff should be lucky that I don't fire them".

Her (his) staff hates most of these types of bosses, but the Tyrant has no idea why that is. It can happen that staff leaves in droves due to this boss and the staff makes it known that is because of the boss' attitude. Even if this happens the boss is usually in denial and blames other reasons not her (his) attitude.

All Purpose Asshole

As noted above, we have created 5 specific boss types. The All Purpose Asshole has been created as a catchall for all of those situations that do not fall neatly into any of the above categories.

Some of the boss behaviours that fall into this category are:

Delegating all of his (her) work, but taking all of the credit for the accomplishments,
Acting pessimistic about everything - nothing that anyone does will ever work, everyone is doomed to failure
Having annoying habits such as snapping his (her) fingers when he (she) wants something
Obsessive compulsiveness