Ego and Insecurity Fuel Passive Aggressive Boss Behavior

Most bosses exhibit many forms of passive aggressive behavior. Usually this behavior is ego-centric and essential for fostering his or her own self image, or the result of deep-rooted insecurities over job their security, performance or advancement potential. Here are 10 common passive aggressive things bosses frequently do.

BCCs Others On Memos To You. Many bosses lack the courage to be upfront and openly copy others on memos they send to you.

Meeting On Their Turf. Ever notice how some bosses always meet with you in their office ... where they sit it the big chair behind the desk ... and you sit in the lower chair on the other side of their desk. It's similar to the way a teacher in elementary school drives home the fact that "I'm the teacher" to a class of second graders. It's also like a male dog "marking" every tree or fire hydrant he passes, even if he doesn't have to urinate.

Excludes Subordinates From Meetings. Bosses can be so insecure and devious that they exclude you from meeting with their superiors on your projects. They show off and take credit for the work their staff do.

Makes Insignificant and Senseless Changes On Reports Red penciling subordinates reports and making minor changes just to let people know who's boss is another common passive aggressive behavior. An effective manager would make positive comments like "great job" rather than nit pick insignificant edits to gratify their fragile egos.

Call Meetings At or After 5 PM. Some bosses like to call late meetings just to make life miserable for "clock watchers" who usually leave the office at 5 p.m. on the dot.

Call Meetings Before 9:00 AM. Calling early morning meetings is another way insecure bosses flex their muscles and let everyone quietly know who rules the roost.

Expenses Off Personal Lunches With Attractive Staff Members. Taking the most attractive employees out for lunch, dinner or drinks and letting everyone know about it is another way bosses gratify their egos and get across the point that they're in charge.

Mentioning The First Class on Business Trips. Many executives always fly first class on business trips ... either by company policy or using frequent flyer miles they accumulate ... and constantly remind their subordinates about it

Blaming The Client For Changes In Direction and Execution. Bosses very often have their own hidden agendas and will instigate a client to follow their agenda. Of course, the boss blames the client for the change, when it was his or her idea, not the client's.

Passing The Buck Up To His Or Her Boss. When you have to work until 10 p.m. or come into the office on Saturday, it's never your the fault of your boss, but somebody higher up. Rather than own up to the fact that they dropped the ball or made a miscalculation or misjudgment that requires everybody to catch up quickly, they blame the higher up for their own shortcomings.