When we’re looking for work, it’s often during a turbulent time, and landing a job—any job—is a good thing. Or is it? We’re often unaware of what kind of boss we’ll have, and what seems like a dream job might really be a hostile work environment.

I got to thinking about this after a senior vice president from a large Midwest tech company sent me a series of rude and insulting emails. He totally missed the point of one of my weekly newspaper columns, and his reaction nowhere near professional.

In fact, here is some of what this senior VP had to say:

“Some leadership coach you are… suggesting employers discriminate?  (With a giggle, ha, ha, wink, wink, chuckle, chuckle… oh ever so smart… my are you clever!) People should always be hired on their merits– don’t you think?  Idiot.”

Initially I was willing to dialog with him because he totally misunderstood my column and in no way did I advocate illegal discrimination. Had he learned that I’ve penned several books on identifying qualified candidates, he might have had a change of heart.

I acknowledged his comments but didn’t engage, citing the need to make the conversation more professional if I were to do so.  I thought if I responded to him professionally he would return in kind.

In hindsight I should have ignored his guy. He didn’t inquire about anything—my response simply fed his ego. He became even more insulting and condescending—as if that was supposed to make me fall to my knees and apologize? 

Sorry, not even on a cold day in hell.

Then it struck me that this guy probably treats a lot of people this way, and I thought “Hey- I missed identifying this type of jerk when I wrote the column Who Not to Hire!”

But then I had another idea: This guy’s a perfect example of Who Not to Work For! No doubt his abusive leadership style makes many people miserable.

People need to be aware of the type of boss they’re going to have, and I will discuss that very topic in short order . . .

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Filed in Work, Business, Opinion, Management, Leadership, Teambuilding, Workplace