Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

osses: the different, the good old boy or good old girl, the okay, the toxic, the self-centered taskmaster,
and the intrusive harasser.
The Different Boss
First, The Different Boss is someone a subordinate sees as distractingly different from them as a person.
Different subordinates are going to view what is “distractingly different” in a wide range of different ways.
Some people who view their bosses as “distractingly different” may also be succumbing to their prejudices
about people from various social groups. For example, if someone’s boss is from another country, those
cultural differences can make that subordinate see their boss as distractingly different.
The Good Old Boy or Good Old Girl Boss
Second is the good old boy or good old girl boss. This type of boss is someone who probably hasn’t
progressed along with the modern world of corporate thinking. This person may be gregarious and
outgoing, but they tend to see the “old ways of doing things” as best—even when they’re problematic.
These individuals tend to see sexual harassment as something that isn’t a big deal in the workplace. Their
subordinates are also more likely to view some of their behaviors as unethical.
The Okay Boss
The third type of boss is the okay boss. This person is exactly like the name says, okay and average in just
about every way possible. These individuals are, in many ways, coasting towards retirement. They try not
to rock the boat within the organization, so they will never stand up to their bosses, nor will they advocate
for their subordinates. For someone who likes work and wants to succeed in life, working for one of these
people can be very frustrating because the okay boss likes the status quo and creates an environment in
which the average is the norm and people who exceed the average are the outcasts.
The Toxic Boss
Fourth, we have the toxic boss. These bosses are all-around problematic in the workplace. They are often
seen as unethical, obnoxious, and unprofessional by their subordinates. These are the types of bosses
that can create hostile work environments and pit employees against each other for their amusement.
However, when it comes to harassing behavior, they are less likely to engage in harassment directly. Still,
they can often create environments where both sexual harassment and bullying become the norm.
The Self-Centered Taskmaster
The fifth type of problematic boss is the self-centered taskmaster. The self-centered taskmaster is
ultimately “focused on getting the job done to advance their own goals, without concern for others.”
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This type of boss is purely focused on getting work done. This individual may be excessive in the
amount of work they give subordinates. Ultimately, this individual wants to show their superiors how
good of a boss they are to move up the organizational hierarchy. On the flip side, these people are highly
competent, but their tendency to lord power over others in an obnoxious way makes working for this
type of boss very stressful.
The Intrusive Harasser Boss
Interpersonal Communication 484