Describe your worst boss, how would you handle it?

I know some people will hate me. But the key question here is: what does mean "worst"? It is a subjective matter that must be transform into objective. And you ever have to remember: each boss is there because the organization culture and style put her/his there. Thats all. What you think only matters for you to stay in the organization or leave out.

My worst boss was a Type A ++ personality. I dealt with it by leaving. So, during interviews I would say it was a challenge to work with the person, and I'm ready to take on new challenges.

Don't ever throw someone under the bus just because you don't like them. You never know when someone will do that in kind.

Back 20+ years ago, I was interviewing at a very entry level position at the University. Everyone that I talked to about this interview told me the same thing...."Don't even interview! She is the worse boss ever. She goes through many staff assistants. She's very difficult to work for."

Well, at that time, I was a single mom and needed to increase my pay and make sure I could provide benefits for my children and myself. So I interviewed.

During the interview, I had the chance. She has asked if I had any questions. I liked what I had heard to that point. But I had to know why everyone felt that I shouldn't (or even couldn't) work with her.

I politely looked at her and said, "Professor Mc*******, I've heard that you are difficult to work for. Can you tell me what would make others think this way?"

The answer was amazing and I'm glad I asked. She politely told me that she has been in her job for many years. She has a huge responsibility (she was in charge of Undergraduate Mathematics) and in order for her to have time to teach, everything else needed to be done correctly. She had her ways and it has worked for many years. A lot of new hires will try to change those ways without learning first.

I got the job offer and I accepted. I learned so much from this woman. University Policies, working with students, etc. She was anti-computers and this was when computers were driving our work. I took my time to learn her end results. Why she needed what she was getting in the end. I then would change my way of getting to the end result and how it compared to the way she was doing it. We got a long fine. She was an amazing person and educator.

So sometimes the worst boss for someone else, can be the greatest mentor to others.

Thank you Lisa. I completely agree with you.

Your one sentence is a lot to me "A lot of new hires will try to change those ways without learning first. "

This was the mistake i did earlier /long ago in my job- trying to change without learning first!!!

This is an eye opener statement.

Thank you very much once agian for sharing your story

You were asked this question in an interview?

No, not really. I read an article that when you making a bad situation personal while conducting an interview, you actually exhibit undesirable behavioral traits. But, if you spin the same bad situation into a positive growth outcome, you present yourself as someone who is positive and can grow in any environment.