Here Are Three Signs That It Is Time To Fire Your Boss
Tips for finding corporate leadership that is not toxic
The Buildup
Today was the day.
The day I was going to fire my boss. This decision felt easy because of the encounter I had with my boss the previous day. I was yelled at for not telling my boss that the president of the company had met with me. The president of the company was the one who hired me, and my boss did not like the visibility I was receiving. What also made firing my boss easy was the next job opportunity that waited for me along with the business I was about to start that would change my life. I didn’t know this at the time, but I knew firing my boss was one of the best opportunities I had.
The day started as a cold and wet morning in Portland, OR. I rushed to my job at the bank. I was running late after my 30-minute commute was extended to an hour by an accident on the freeway. I entered the bank lobby which had the same stale smell. I had a meeting with my boss first thing when I arrived. I power walked to the elevator to find they were all in use. As I stood there waiting for the elevator, dripping wet, I thought how did I do this every day for almost a year? Also, how did I get stuck with Beth (Beth’s name has been changed to protect her identity) as my boss? To be fair, she wasn’t the first boss I had that was toxic. However, she was the first to blatantly show me the signs.
For context, Beth was the mid level manager over my area. She was in leadership by way of seniority not skill. From her lack of strategic vision to the multiple instances of disrespect and passive aggressiveness, she was a picture of her own career shortcomings. Little did I know at the time, she was going to help me discover when it’s time to fire my boss.
1. No Clear Path To Career Progression
For starters, Beth obstructed my attempts to clarify my career progression in the company. She always tried to keep me and my colleagues in the dark about opportunities to learn and improve our skills. Career progression is not guaranteed but should be designed to give workers an idea of what skills and expertise are needed for the next role. Thinking about it now, this is the larger issue with corporate in general. They are not looking out for you. There is only a plan for investors and executive leadership. If you have a career progression plan, consider yourself lucky and commend your leadership. If you don’t have a career path laid out for you and/or leadership shows an unwillingness to commit to one…run for the hills…without delay.
2. Your Boss Is Passive Aggressive, Disrespectful, and/or Gaslights You
Passive aggressive behavior and intimidation is all too common. If your boss disregards your input and does not empower you, begin exploring alternative employment. This type of environment is bad for your health and will likely only get worse with time. This is a blaring red flag if your boss treats you this way.
3. Your Boss Refuses To Give You Visibility In The Organization
Exposing you to opportunities to contribute knowledge and cultivate your skills is the most important thing a leader could do for you. Everyone gains value. Unfortunately, many leaders do not have an abundant mindset. An abundant mindset is the idea or worldview that there are enough resources and successes for all to share. One of my favorite books that encapsulates an abundant mindset is The Having by Suh Yoon Lee.
FIRING MY BOSS
When the elevator finally arrived, I made my way to the third floor. The elevator rose quickly and the doors opened to a place I knew was no longer a good fit for me.
It was time to fire my boss.
As I approached her office, the door was closed (per usual) so I sat down at my desk nervously waiting for her to finish her call. Then as I listened, I realized she was talking about me! I had not yet given notice, but here she was in the middle of my reference check. She opened the door and with a smirk asked me to come in. She appeared to relish in telling me how she had heard I was looking for a new position. She felt it was disrespectful of me not to share this knowledge with her though she had never shown any interest in me, my skill set, or career.
This is where the story gets good.
I simply said the following, “Goodbye Beth”. I proceeded to leave her office and the bank. What Beth did not know was that I had great rapport with my new employer. I had been honest about how I felt about toxic behavior from leadership. My new employer knew I was leaving toxic leadership, not my career aspirations. The next employer was the first time I was granted equity and the opportunity to make six figures.
I now had leadership that saw me as a person, trusted my vision, and believed in me. It turned out to be the most lucrative career pivot that led to even more success in my career and as an entrepreneur.
Here is more about where firing my boss led me:
Kahlil Dumas is a highly motivated and passionate entrepreneur, business advisor, money expert, customer experience executive, and technology visionary leader living in Oregon. Kahlil was partner in a tech startup called TopBox that sold in January 2021. Kahlil has gained the majority of his professional experience consulting and working with Fortune 500 companies such as Nike, CVS, T-Mobile, Doordash, and many more.
Kahlil launched “UNSTUCKKD”. UNSTUCKKD is a business and platform that provides community, resources, and services to anyone who feels stuck in their career, finances, business, and/or life.
Kahlil can be reached on social platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Tiktok with the handle @unstuckkd or by email unstuckkd@gmail.com
