"Career Killers: How a Toxic Boss Can Ruin Your Professional Trajectory"

When I got sick at my former job, I had to call my supervisor to let him know I wouldn't be able to come to work today. Sounds normal!

No, he wants to talk to me while I'm unwell because he tried to determine whether or not my voice sounds like a sick person, and most of the time his hearing sense could not catch any sign of a sick person's voice tone.

He therefore concluded that I had been lying to him in order to have a job interview. The very next day, he summoned me to his room and harshly interrogated me. He also threatened me, saying, "I will inform the HR head, that you are looking for a new job. He will definitely block your career advancement."

Believe me; to avoid this situation most of the time I went to the office with a disease condition and then asked permission for sick leave. I once went to work with terrible migraine pain and before I could ask to leave, I fainted.

Additionally, research demonstrates the career-damaging effects of a bad boss. there were several studies and statistics highlighting the impact of bad bosses on employees and organizations

• A Gallup poll found that 75% of employees who voluntarily left their jobs did so because of their immediate boss or manager.
• The Harvard Business Review reported that employees with bad bosses are 60% more likely to suffer from heart-related conditions, illustrating the physical health impact of workplace stress caused by poor leadership.
• Research from the University of Manchester revealed that poor leadership resulted in a 15% reduction in employee productivity.
• Bad Managers are thought to be responsible for at least 70% of the variation in employee engagement levels, according to Gallup's State of the American Manager survey.
• According to a study in the journal Occupational Health Psychology, staff members who work for abusive managers are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and burnout.
• According to a report by the Center for American Progress, the cost of employee turnover caused by lousy managers might reach as high as 21% of an employee's annual income when recruitment, training, and lost productivity expenses are taken into account.

The significance of the effects of ineffective managers may have on workers and companies is highlighted by these figures and studies. Poor leadership can contribute to decreased production, higher turnover rates, worse employee morale, and higher healthcare costs. For both individual career success and the general well-being of workplaces, it is critical to identify and solve the problem of ineffective bosses.

Here are some other ways in which a bad boss can ruin an employee's career, along with an example:

1. Block Growth Opportunities:A bad boss may not provide employees with opportunities for skill development, training, or career advancement. This can stagnate an employee's career and limit their potential.Example:Meet Sara, a talented and ambitious HR professional who works for a bad boss named Sajib. Mike has several characteristics that impede Sarah's career growth:Lack of Guidance: Sajib rarely provides clear guidance or mentorship to his team members. He expects them to figure things out on their own, which makes it difficult for Sarah to develop new skills or tackle more challenging projects.Credit Hoarding: Whenever a project succeeds, Sajib is quick to take credit for it, even if it was a collaborative effort. Sarah and her colleagues rarely receive recognition for their hard work and innovative ideas.Micromanagement: Sajib tends to micromanage his team. He constantly checks in on their progress, demands frequent updates, and insists on using his preferred methods and strategies. This stifles Sarah's creativity and autonomy.Favoritism: Sajib has a clear favorite within the team, who often receives the best projects, promotions, and opportunities for growth. This favoritism leaves Sarah feeling undervalued and overlooked.Limited Exposure: Sajib rarely invites Sarah to important meetings or presentations with higher-ups or clients. As a result, she misses out on valuable networking opportunities and the chance to showcase her skills to decision-makers and as well as in front of top management.

Due to these behaviors, Sarah's career growth is stunted. In this scenario, Sajib's actions and behaviors as a bad boss effectively block Sarah's growth opportunities. She is unable to reach her full potential, and her career prospects suffer as a result.

1. Decreased Job Satisfaction:Lower job satisfaction might result from a toxic or unsupported work environment that a terrible supervisor creates. Employees who are unhappy are less likely to work hard and are more inclined to look for work elsewhere.Example: Kabir is a member of a highly competitive marketing team run by Lisa, a micromanager. Lisa routinely criticizes her team members, sets unrealistic goals, and fails to recognize their efforts. Kabir becomes frustrated and demotivated, and he begins seeking a new job to get away from the toxic environment.
2. Damage to Reputation: A lousy boss's behavior might have a negative impact on their subordinates. It can be damaging to an employee's professional reputation if their employer takes credit for their efforts or blames them for their own mistakes.Example: For instance, Kamlesh is a brilliant data analyst who works for a manager, Rahul, who frequently claims credit for the team's Business data analysis report. When Rahul's missteps cause project delays, he publicly blames the team. As a result, other departments view Kamlesh's employees as untrustworthy, harming their professional reputation.
3. Emotional and Mental Health Issues:Employees can experience substantial stress, anxiety, and even hopelessness as a result of a hostile or abusive supervisor. These mental health concerns might have a significant impact on an employee's professional and personal life.Example: Sanjib, Ajlina's boss, is notorious for his volatile temper and frequent outbursts. He routinely condemns Ajlina in front of her coworkers. Ajlina's self-esteem deteriorates over time, as does her performance. She finally takes a leave of absence to address her mental health difficulties, which has an impact on her career path.

Recognizing the signs of a bad boss is essential for employees to analyze their work environment and take appropriate action. Here are some common signs of a lousy boss:

1. Lack of Communication
2. Micromanagement
3. Inconsistent Behavior
4. Favoritism
5. Failure to Give Feedback
6. Credit Stealing character
7. Bullying or Harassment
8. Failure to Address Concerns
9. Lack of Recognition
10. Overwork and Ignoring Work-Life Balance
11. Unclear or Unrealistic Expectations
12. Resistance to Change
13. Failure to Develop Employees
14. Lack of Empathy
15. High Turnover

Recognizing these indicators can assist employees in taking proper action to resolve the problem, such as raising concerns with human resources, seeking mentorship, or pursuing different career options if the bad environment persists. A poor boss can have a huge impact on employee morale, job satisfaction, and general well-being, thus taking action to safeguard one's career and mental health is critical.

Arfan Ahmed Shourov

Learning & OD professional

Career mentor