Decades ago I served as second in command at a local non-profit. One morning my boss’ mom called. I went over to our administrative assistant to explain that the boss wouldn’t be in: “another crazy day?” she asked. No, I replied, this one sounds like a crazy week.
Over the years I had some great bosses. I also had one boss sent to federal prison, two who probably should have gone, a couple unable to do their jobs in any meaningful fashion and, one, well, we noticed hired two types of employees. Young and cute and those who could do the job. (Alas, I was a worker bee.)
It’s not a surprise that one of the great forms of workplace entertainment is making fun of the boss behind their back. Still, some bosses are so bad that they become an embarrassment to the organization as well as the employees.
Donald Trump does not like Bob Woodward’s new book, Fear: “Woodward’s tome is a ‘big, fat ugly book with all the misquotes and all the lies.’”
[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-trump-new-york-times-20180907-story.html ] The book documents, with extensive notes, events in the Trump White House. It is not a happy workplace. The title comes from a Trump quote at the front of the book: “Real power is – I don’t even use the word – fear.”
Perhaps it’s necessary to remember that – aside from a short bit of work for his dad in the family business – Donald Trump has always been the boss and never an employee. And, as viewers of The Apprentice noticed, Trump wasn’t one to accept even gentle, accurate comments on how to improve his leadership style. No, he’s always convinced he’s right and respected…
Donald Trump: See the way they’re kissing your ass already? That’s what happens when you’re a boss. [The Apprentice]
Of course, Trump is not the country’s only embarrassing boss. (Feel free to spend a Sunday watching Bar Rescue on The Paramount Network for bosses behaving badly.) Yet, a White House where the chief of staff learns he’s being immediately replaced via a Tweet by the president [Fear, p. 235] or where the second chief of staff proclaims, “We’re in crazytown” [p. 286] is beyond embarrassing.
So, when Trump calls a university report on the number who died in Puerto Rico after last year’s hurricane a fraud, “being done by the Democrats in order to make me look as bad as possible,” remember the most embarrassing boss you ever had…and thank God you never worked for Donald Trump.
Then, pray for this country.
Submitted by Glenn Koenen, WCD Member