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304 SNAKES IN SUITS
1. BUILD AND MAINTAIN A REPUTATION AS
A GOOD PERFORMER
Bosses are expected to use power, influence, and leadership to motivate
employees to perform their jobs up to specific standards of quality
and productivity. While there may be differences in personal style
and mismatch between your expectations and your boss’s approach,
the company is expected to take the side of your boss in most disagreements
over your performance. This fact alone makes it very difficult
to handle a boss with psychopathic tendencies, because he or
she already has more power than you do and is expected to make
management judgments about you, your performance, and your career.
In the hands of a psychopathic boss, your own less-thanoptimal
performance is a tool that can (and will) be used against you.
The best defense is to always perform up to your capabilities and do
whatever tasks are assigned to you unless they are clearly illegal, unethical,
or violate safety or security procedures. In addition, be open
to regular feedback about your performance, and ask for feedback on
a regular basis if it is not forthcoming.
2. PUT IT IN WRITING
In many, but not all, companies, assignments and objectives are
given in writing. If this is not the case where you work, then you can
always follow up each verbal directive with a written memo of your
understanding. This memo should be short, well written, and focused.
Simply state what you understand the assignment to be, the
timetable, resource requirements, and assistance you expect from the
boss or others working on the project. If possible, ask to meet with
your boss to review it, take notes, and, of course, keep a copy of all
documents for yourself. If you make this a regular part of your interactions
with all your bosses—that is, part of your style of working—
upper management will readily understand and accept it; in fact, it is
a sign of a mature, well-motivated employee.