Bad Boss? Read This!

I got my first break in the business world via the oil and gas industry. I also got a boss who was terrible.

At the ripe old age of 24, I was tasked with leading a large field crew to permit 100,000 acres of land for a seismic shoot. Naturally, in true big business fashion, we had months to complete a job that should have taken years. I was thrilled. For years I'd been relegated to bringing "the boys" Dr Peppers and making copies of files in some dank basement room. No matter that this was a huge responsibility.....this was MY time to shine and I was going to meet any deadline, regardless of how unreasonable it was.

Enter Bad Boss. He was the Land Manager at the private oil and gas company that ordered this project. I was lucky to be working "direct" for him (Note - most oil and gas field work is contracted out. The chance to work direct with the executives does not come often), but awful does not begin to describe the work atmosphere he provided. Hotheaded, full of ego and the ability to make you feel like absolute dirt were some of his finer qualities. When he wasn't yelling expletives at me, he was critiquing my work with a hateful vengeance. Also fine with lying to his superiors, he frequently pulled me into is charade - "If my boss calls, I'm here with you." When I balked at the idea of lying to the very people who signed my check (his boss and mine were one and the same - the CEO of said company), he made it clear that my job....and entire industry reputation depended on his happiness with me.

The entire experience imploded with about two weeks left on the project. I'd finally had enough and when the CEO called me to ask to speak with his Land Manager, I told the truth. "He's not here. He hasn't been here for months. And I can't lie to you anymore." In my defense, this CEO was who actually signed my checks....my ultimate boss. But I was naive and when those flood gates opened, I held nothing back. It was all true, but it probably wasn't all necessary. Either way, the very next day said Land Manager finally did show up. This time, to fire me in a blaze of screaming glory.

Looking back on it, I'm sure that this "opportunity" was given to me because I was young. No self respecting professional would have stayed in that toxic environment. However, I'm grateful for it all.

• I learned exactly what NOT to do with regards to handling employees. We got the job done, but it was a miserable 6 months and I know we'd have been more productive with a better work environment
• I learned that, despite a big bark, those jerks in your industry cannot ruin your reputation. Boy, did he try......and boy, did he fail. In the end, HIS reputation proceeded him when he tried to slander my name
• I learned the value of self respect and self worth in the workplace. I'm glad I got to experience this - it made me much more tough - but I wouldn't ever take that kind of abuse again. No amount of money or work experience is worth your self dignity
• Most of all I learned that life, the Universe, Karma, God, Buddha...what ever you believe in, does not reward bad behavior. I'm still here....he's not.

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