Comment by AdieuToLogic

This is possibly the most dysfunctional, toxic, nihilistic, and Machiavellian advice regarding the topic of "How to Deal with a Bad Manager?", or any related topic therein, I have ever encountered.

I do not author this lightly and hope by doing so it provides an impetus for introspection.

Do with this intervention what you wish.

EDIT:

I do not know you nor your situation, work or otherwise.

What I do know is pain.

The post to which I responded has many pain indicators, or at least that is what I see when reading it. Perhaps I am just projecting though.

In the event I am not experiencing a form of projection, here is what I would like to share:

  1) Holding onto pain only embeds it further
     into one's life.

  2) "Retribution" does not alleviate one's
     own pain, but instead increases it.

  3) Codependency can be toxic and addictive.

  4) Most importantly: happiness is a choice.

The last one can be both the most obvious and most difficult to internalize.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I have the full understanding of your perception on this. And judging by the number of downvotes I got, your sentiment seems to be shared among others.

My advice is very different from “run”, assuming running is not an option. I want you to imagine a person who has never had too many opportunities in their life, and works in a downtrodden environment. And does not have the qualities to work somewhere better. Now this same person has wife and kids. The only thoughts that come from this is hopelessness.

In this hopelessness, minute incremental improvements is a huge world of difference. Communication, even snarkiness, will shake things. Praise will keep situations cool. Providing Safety will keep your opportunities open. I fundamentally believe that these three things at least will allow for improvements in the person.

As for your points, suffering through pain (coming from a superior or subordinate, or the environment) will make it worse, either hardening the heart or tearing it down. That is where mastering the psychology of the oppressor comes in. Knowing who you work with helps to cope with the pressure. Think of it as knowing the bully so you won’t get bullied. Retribution is not the intention, just communication. Communicate the full problem no matter how difficult it may be. And if the problem is with the person themselves, make it humorous. Codependency makes two people similar in nature. This would be the opposite of improvement.

On reflecting on my comment, I think it was a bit rushed and did not go fully in depth. It sounds very difficult to grasp. I apologize to everyone. If I could delete it I would.