"Fight the Powerful"

My Boss is too powerful in terms of influence on others. She loves to do backbiting and manipulates information for her benefit. I end up at the losing end most of the time.

The majority of the people listen to her. I have not made any move to talk to others and tell them what is really happening between myself and my boss. They do not know that it is not just about work, that this is personal already.

Do you think this is worth a try? I spoke to HR, her boss's boss, but there's NO HOPE... they all believe what she says.

So do you think I should start talking to people and just drop some lines so they understand what is actually happening? And if I have to start, which group should I start with, HER ENEMIES or HER FRIENDS?

I need to understand how to survive in this jungle.

Backbitten

Dear Backbitten,

It sounds like you are in a pretty difficult spot, if the problems you are having with your boss are not being taken seriously by Human Resources or your boss's boss.

If the situation is intolerable you should probably start circulating your resume, since it sounds like your boss is pretty expert at controlling the situation. I doubt that trying to adopt her tactics would get you anywhere. She has had a lot more practice than you.

The one strategy that you might try is the direct approach. Make an appointment with her, sit down and calmly explain that you feel persecuted and abused, or whatever words will describe your situation. Tell her what you like about the job and the company and her as a boss and ask her if there isn't some way that you and she can find a way to work together for
the good of the whole team.

If she doesn't respond well, you haven't really lost anything, since the situation is pretty desperate. But she may just appreciate your honesty and think again about the impact her behaviour is having on others. Anyone who thinks that they can get ahead by creating enemies has not been in business long enough. You can offer her an opportunity to use her talents to build better relationships for the good of the company and her own career.

Good luck with this.

Dr. John

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