When Your Boss is an Idiot

Published February 21, 2010

If you have ever felt like you should have your boss’s job, you’re not alone.

The current tough employment environment has led many individuals to take jobs for which they are overqualified. As a result, there’s a virtual epidemic of employees who feel smarter than the boss.

“The fact that jobs are so difficult to find right now leads more people to take positions in which they’re underemployed and they may not utilize all of their skills and abilities,” says Melanie Holmes, vice president at Manpower, Inc., an international employment services company.

According to Katherine Crowley, co-author of “Working for You Isn’t Working for Me” (Portfolio Hardcover, 2009), there are two main circumstances when an employee may struggle with feelings of frustration toward a manager: skills-based and experience-based. Younger workers may quickly see the shortcomings of an older boss who lacks technological skills, such as familiarity with social media or certain computer programs. Older workers may feel dismissive toward a younger boss who lacks practical experience in the field.

Regardless of an employee’s true level of intelligence in relation to his boss, the best first step for an employee is an attitude check. Crowley recommends objectively assessing the situation. In general, she says there are two options: sit in resentment, or find a way to work with the individual.

“Internally you need to let go of the unfairness of the situation, instead of fantasizing that you will get your boss ejected or harbor resentment that you should be in that position,” Crowley says.

Holmes emphasizes the importance of respecting your boss and remembering your role. “As an employee, my job is to make my boss look good,” she says. “So when he looks good, the whole team looks good and I look good.”

Also continue to look for ways to grow in your career. Holmes says the smartest people will work to learn new things, not try to get around their boss.

Says Crowley, “It’s not easy when you’re ambitious and have good ideas to work for someone who is less intelligent than you. But the most important thing is to focus on principle over personality – the principle of doing a good job over the personality conflicts you may have with your boss.”

- Written By Melanie Wanzek