The Boss from Hell! Yup! You know what they are like, these leaders who don't lead, who sit in their offices, only emerging to rush past their staff who have been waiting all day to see the whites of their eyes. "Got to dash, off to an important meeting," they toss at their staff as they whip past, flapping papers in the air to show how important and busy they are. Then there's the boss who seems to spend all day hanging around your desk checking your work, poking into files, asking questions as if to test your knowledge, waiting for you to trip up then pouncing when you make a mistake. "Got ya", this 'hovering' boss says with a big grin. The joy of catching you out clearly made their day. But what about the one who insists on delegating important projects to you, then presents the fabulous work you have done as if it was the result of their own efforts. "Yes, I was able to pull this together quickly, thank you for telling me how pleased the client was," says this claim-you-did-it-yourself boss with absolutley no mention of your behind the scenes efforts. Another "boss from hell" might be the one who breaks the rules for one employee but is rigid and strict with another. " I know I gave Sally they day off on Friday because she worked late on Wednesday, but I need you here as I have an important project to wrap up this week." If these bosses sound like people in your office, do not dispair. Yes, they are a pain in the enck to work with but in actual fact they are giving you marvellous lessons on what not to do when you are selected to fill a leadership role. These bosses should never have reached, let alone stayed, in this position of authority. If they started the business they may never have taken any leadership training, or listened to sage advice from peers. If they rose through the ranks, or climbed the corporate ladder, then clearly there are lax management practices at the top that allow this inept leadership to continue. But for you, the employee struggling to earn a living, to gain knowledge and skills, and go on to better things, all is not lost. In a quiet moment, when you are not stressed, ask to meet with your boss and suggest some ways in which you can work better together. Explain what works and does not work for you and ask them if they would be willing to try another approach. Be specific. "When you hover by my desk I get flustered and it makes it hard for me to remember all of the details." "When I work hard on a project but you don't mention my contribution, it makes me feel unimportant, I'm sure that's not what you intended is it?" "When you are in your office with the door closed, I don't have the chance to speak with you about some of the challenges I anticipated. If we could meet first thing in the morning for 15 minutes that would be a big help. Can we do that?" Any of these 'scripts' or approach allows you to manage upward; to take a leadership role from your present position, to show you are able to speak out for the things you want and need to be successful. You have to delvier your message in a calm, clear professional manner. Try it... it may not make the boss from hell into an angel but you will feel better from having made the effort to bring about a change. It might even work!!!