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Stanley Bing

How to deal with your crazy boss

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).

The wimp
Cover your butt as you cover his.
Rationale: This is to a large extent a technical issue. In some organizations, this may just mean a few discreet phone calls to all the appropriate parties. But phone calls are unlikely to satisfy the true wimp. He may need documentation. This can be more than just a pain in the neck. This can actually protect you if something funky comes down and the wimpish quisling that is your manager tried to wriggle out of his share of the blame.

Effectiveness: Crucial. In a world where paper rules, you must not disdain it, even if it does seem like a crock.


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