Fortune's Stanley Bing shares his take on the five types of crazy bosses, and some strategies for dealing with one, from "Crazy Bosses" (Harper Collins).
By Stanley Bing
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The narcissist
Spread that grease, but don't get greasy.
Rationale: The narcissist will take as much blatant, disgusting sucking up as you can dish out, and if you're not careful, you'll end up with a reputation as a simpering nitwit. (You don't want that.) In public, your independent credibility is your greatest asset. That said, in private you can tickle him as much as you want about personal matters. Compliment his new shoes. Look him directly in the eye and tell him how much you liked his remarks at that industry panel on deregulation. Don't worry. He won't suspect that you're being fatuous. He'll think you're just a person of incredible discernment and taste.
Effectiveness: Superb, with a caveat: Don't dribble stupid stuff while you're simpering. He's not an idiot. He's just a narcissist. And he needs to respect your ideas, because when he's out of them he'll need to use some of yours.
The central question of every hardworking person's career is how to work less hard while still being able to buy an expensive bottle of wine without trembling. The answer is simple: Retire while still working! (more)
The central question of every hardworking person's career is how to work less hard while still being able to buy an expensive bottle of wine without trembling. The answer is simple: Retire while still working! (more)
