Book Companion:

Library and Information Center Management,
Seventh Edition

The Incredibly Bad Boss

Keith Moore hurried down the hall past the cafeteria filled with co-workers waiting to eat lunch or get a quick cup of coffee. He sped to the empty conference room, shutting the door behind him. He was shaking with anger and frustration, unable to think coherently. "Steady! Steady!" he told himself. Keep your cool.

But keeping his cool was very difficult. "How much more can I take?" he burst out angrily. "That man is impossible. How can he treat us like this? It's unbelievable."

Keith got up and began to pace around the room. He caught a glimpse of himself in the glass covering the large print hanging on the wall. As he looked at his reflection, he said, "I can't believe it. I am such a coward." He made himself sit down again.

But, he wondered, was it really cowardice? Or was that he was just one of the many seemingly helpless employees in the world who, because of their subordinate positions, are forced to make the most of working for an abrasive, uncompromising, insensitive boss?

He thought back to his encounter with Leo. "How many times do I have to tell you the same thing, Keith?" Leo had thundered. I will say it to you once more and only one more. We are not going to change the practice and that's that! The subject is closed. Good day."

The last words of that encounter rang over and over in his head like an angry echo. "The subject is closed. Good day." A leaden sense of failure overcame Keith.

Keith was part of a ten person IT support department at Jacob, Madison & Meeker, a long established law firm in a mid-sized Southern city. Jacob, Madison & Meeker employs 100 associates and 25 partners in addition to a large number of paralegals and clerks. The law firm specialized in corporate litigation. Keith had come to Jacob, Madison & Meeker about 6 months ago after being "downsized" at his previous position at a local telecommunication corporation. He thought he was extremely lucky to get the position since jobs were tight in the IT field at the present time. Keith is 42. He and his wife are the parents of two children: one in high school and one in her second year of college.

The IT department at Jacob, Madison & Meeker exists to support the work of the law firm. Leo Sunderweld was head of the Information Technology Department at Jacob, Madison & Meeker. All of the other IT professionals report to him. He is 47, big, boisterous and loud. Although he was obviously only one person, it often seemed to his subordinates that there were two Leo Sunderwelds. There was the Leo feared by his subordinates because of his moods, temper flare-ups and bullying. Then there was the Leo, all effusive endearments and courtliness, who interacted with the partners, the associates and the managing team of the law firm. His subordinates responded to the first Leo with dislike and timidity. In the eyes of the partners however, Leo seemed to be able to do no wrong.

"What a two-faced monster," thought Keith. Despite the fact that Leo had a master's degree in IS and years of experience, he didn't know the first thing about managing people. Yet the IT staff was forced to kowtow to his demands and to deal with him cheerfully, as if everything were fine. "I'm in a tough spot", bemoaned Keith. "I can't stand that guy, but I have to work for him."

Suddenly Keith was conscious that someone else was entering the room. It was Molly Moore, one of the other IT professionals.

"I saw you dashing out of Leo's office looking pretty upset." Molly began. "What's he done now."?

"I'm so steamed", said Keith. "Leo's cutting corners again. You know-not buying enough site licenses for the software we use throughout the firm. It keeps the IT costs low and because the IT Department is a cost center, it makes us look good, but you know it is not ethical. In my last job, the head of IT would never have allowed it. But, despite several of us asking him to change this, he won't back down. I am so tired of trying to make him see that this is wrong."

"You know it's a lost cause." said Molly.

"I suppose so", Keith acknowledged. But I feel so discouraged about it and it's not just me. You and the rest of the IT staff are just as upset. "

The two co-workers exchanged a glance of utter disgust, and Keith went on speaking in a flat and rather hopeless voice. "It's not just this one thing that's bothering me. It's the larger question of what to do with a boss like him. I've met people who think I am exaggerating when I tell him what he is like. But I don't care. You and I know what he is like. We can't even discuss our concerns with him." Keith slumped in his chair looking even more dejected.

Molly gave a quick glance at her watch, sprang to feet and sprang to her feet. "I'd better get back to my office or he'll be furious," she said, hastening to the door. "We'll talk tomorrow and see if we can't figure something out."

Keith's face brightened. "Thanks, Molly, you're a pal. I'll be along shortly." Molly went out closing the door behind her. Keith remained in his seat for some minutes, looking at the door and shaking his head. "That man's incredible," he kept muttering to himself.