Fewer things hurt more than being betrayed by someone we trust. When that person is our boss, someone who impacts our career paths and livelihoods, the pain can be amplified. Whether they took credit for a project you sacrificed months to complete, gave a promotion they promised you to someone else, or publicly shamed you for someone else’s mistake, the consequences of the betrayal are far-reaching.
What to Do When Your Boss Betrays You
Resist the temptation to retaliate.
July 23, 2019
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Summary.
If you work for a boss who habitually betrays you, get out from under them as soon as possible. Until then, do whatever you must to protect yourself and keep their bad behavior from negatively affecting you and your work. First, be clear on the values you want to govern your behavior and resolute on what you believe compromising them constitutes. How you show respect to others, how you share ideas, and how you give credit are all informed by this. Next, never accept your boss’s behavior as normal. It’s common for people who tolerate abusive behavior to eventually conclude they deserve it. But you don’t. Resist this by detecting your boss’s patterns of betrayal and interrupting them as much as possible. Finally, don’t repress your negative emotions. Journaling or seeking guidance from a mental health professional can provide you with a healthy outlet.