How to Work for an Idiot
It's frustrating to work for an idiot. The job is much more difficult when the person managing you has half your IQ. Plus, it's hard not to resent this moron for capturing the rung above you on the corporate ladder. But you can still enjoy your job with an idiot boss. With the right attitude, perhaps you can even win a promotion and end up with a smarter supervisor.
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Instructions
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Decide what makes your boss an idiot. Dealing with someone who is truly stupid or has no common sense is different from dealing with a person who is insensitive. If your boss means well but is ignorant or ill-equipped for her job, you will have different challenges than someone whose boss lacks social skills.
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Uncover what your boss really wants from his employees to make sure you're in her corner. The nice thing about idiots is that it's easy to figure out what they want and how to please them. So if you know your boss wants a buddy, be a buddy; if she wants you to say "Yes, Ma'am," say "Yes, Ma'am."
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Be respectful. You might not respect his brains, but you need to respect his authority, or you might find yourself out of a job.
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Leave a paper trail. Every time your idiot boss gives you a project, follow up by email to make sure you have his instructions online and on paper. Ask questions in writing to eliminate room for any misunderstanding due to his unclear instructions. A paper trail also provides you with evidence of your competency in case your boss's mistakes put your job in jeopardy.
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Look for a new job or to transfer to a different department if you really can't stand working for the idiot. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate, and perhaps the next career opportunity will be with a better management team.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid the temptation to make your idiot boss look bad. You might resent his appointment to a job that he doesn't deserve--and the opportunity to expose his faux pas to his supervisors might be tempting. But ultimately, if he looks bad, you'll look bad, too--so don't give him a push as he digs his own grave.
