After watching “Kell on Earth” last night, I found myself laughing, cringing and being thankful that I’ve never had a boss like Kelly Cutrone.
In fact, I’ve been pretty lucky in the boss field.
Sure, I haven’t gotten along with all of them, but I can only remember one boss I really, really hated.
I mean, hated to the point of cringing when she would speak to me and watching her smile as she tortured me in the office. Belittling my work, nitpicking to the point of making me cry almost every day because I didn’t end an email the way she liked or I didn’t magically know what she wanted at any given second. When I heard she was leaving, the smile would not leave my face.
I even had another boss who told me that I wouldn’t amount to much so I should look at another field where my expectations of success would be lower.
I’m not saying I’m a massive success now, but part of me dreams of finding that one again, showing her my business card and telling her to suck it.
I would never do it, but it’s a great daydream.
And now that I manage staff, I look back at my past bad boss experiences and learn from them. I try to be a better listener, communicator and manager than some bosses were to me. But let me tell you, this sh*t is HARD.
Yes, I’ll make mistakes and some decisions may not be the most popular, but I know that the more I try to do better than those before me, that years down the road, my girls (yes, that’s what I call them) will look back at me and say, “she wasn’t half bad.”
Fingers crossed.
Do you have any boss horror stories? Or what have you learned from bad bosses or co-workers from your past (or present?)
Tardy: I loved reading everyone’s responses yesterday to the “tardy for the party” post. I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one who arrives at places early or has friends who constantly run late. So glad to hear!
Movie review: Just a friendly reminder that the Dear John review is still up and with a three day weekend coming up, I’m off to the theater yet again!
I love Kell on Earth. She’s a phenomenal boss I think. Very tough but her staff sure does get their job done.
I have gone through learning how to be a boss this past year and it certainly is a huge change. Each employee has a different working style and you have to make sure to you’re giving people credit yet also being tough. Some people need micro managing and some need free reign to really let their creativity work. I think I’ve learned how to adjust from seeing old bosses who were both good and bad!
I think it’s great that you’ve taken your bad boss experiences and learned from them for being the boss. Because if/when I get to be a boss, I’m going to do the same thing.
I’ve had a few horrible bosses in the past, and I am SO thankful that my current boss is wonderful!
My worst boss was when I was a teenager working at KFC (shudder). She was the most bitter 23 year old who had dedicated her life to greasy chicken. I remember when I tried to refuse to work on what would have made it 15 days straight with no time off, and she flipped on me, shouting “You said in your interview you were flexible!” and then gave me the silent treatment for a week… even though I came in on my day off after all.
I always try to remember things past bosses did that made me crazy so as not to repeat them! I’m sure you’re doing a great job.
I had no idea Kelly Cutrone had her own show. I wouldnt mind seeing that. Making a mental note to look it up.
I agree that you are most likely a great boss, especially since you are aware of the fact that you want to be great example.
My worst boss, well, lets just say I see him on a daily basis (at least mon -fri) and leave it at that for now.
I’ve been reallllly lucky that I’ve had pretty good bosses. Though for the most part with teaching you really don’t see the boss too much! But my bosses in Ireland were fabulous and always making me laugh.
i have yet to watch kell on earth but i can only imagine after watching the hills what she is like, shudder.
I L-O-V-E Kelly Cutrone!! I appreciate that she tells it like it is to her employees (although I wish that the two older chicks would be more helpful to the younger acct exes & interns), she doesn’t talk about them behind their backs or leave condescending notes on their desks. She has a book out that I can’t wait to read.
I’ve had several REALLY bad managers in the past. One, who owned the company, decided he would go off his antidepressants because he believed they stifled his creativity. No, they stifled THE CRAZY, which was soon let loose and involved screaming fits for no good reason.
I’m sure you’re an awesome boss, and as much as those experiences suck, it sounds like they’ve just given you an awesome “What not to do” list for reference.
My worse boss was definitely my last one. She was constantly belittling my co-workers and I, would ask me things like “I’m trying to decide if you’re a bad editor or a bad writer, what do you think?” and when I gave my notice she called a bunch of our clients and made up examples of how I had been useless and said that she was glad that I was leaving, to try and ruin my reputation in the city.
The best thing I did was confront her about it and warn both her and the CFO that I would sue for slander if she wasn’t kept in check. Crazy!!
One of the main reasons I’ve stayed at my job for a decade is because I have a really wonderful relationship with my boss. In fact, I consider him, his wife and their kids as part of my extended family.
I’m horrified that someone told you you wouldn’t amount to much! That’s rude coming from anyone, especially a boss!
I’ve been pretty lucky as far as bosses go. My last boss was a nice person but a horrible manager. Not because she was mean, just because she was ditzy and disorganized and drove me crazy because of those two things.
i’ve had two horrendous bosses that made me cry A LOT. they didn’t communicate tasks well and they didn’t give me enough direction. i was only a junior when i had both of those internships and they didn’t end well. favorite horror story – was hired to help at a nonprofit with event planning but the lady had me answering her phones for her consulting business. they phone systems were messed up and i’d have to run to the back of the office to pick up the 2nd line. she’d be “really disappointed in me” when i didn’t make it back there in time. but they gave me a tougher skin and better understanding on how i needed to ask for help and organize my tasks. my past three bosses have been amazing. mentors in fact. thank goodness :)
Kelly Cutrone is crazy! I could literally burst to tears if I had a boss like her, maybe quit after a few days. I haven’t worked formally so I haven’t had boss stories but I work in an event organizer where there are two bosses who basically I work for. They’re really nice!
First, I’m sure you’re a great boss! I’ve been fairly lucky when it comes to bosses…my worst was probably my first boss, who communicated by sticking post-it notes on my time card :)
love Kell on Earth
omg i had a couple of bosses that were awful. the first awful one told me, when she fired me, that I couldn’t handle stress and that i should look for a less stressful job. The second one that was awful was just batshit crazy and had me help on some rather unethical projects. She was just downright…awful. Though not as awful as the first one.
Everyone makes mistakes, but I think it speaks volumes that you are aware of wanting to do your best! I’m sure you’re a great boss!! :)
I haven’t caught Kell On Earth yet, but being a PR student, I can’t wait to see it!