Jealous Boss | Jealous Manager: Despite good performance, is your competence being called into question? Do you keep getting this weird feeling that your boss does not like you, even though you do not seem to have done anything wrong? Has your boss humiliated you in front of colleagues or superiors with a slightly incorrect version of events?

Does your boss routinely take credit for your work? Do you suspect that you have a jealous boss?

How to Manage a Jealous Boss (Professional Jealousy)

1. Green-eyed bosses are an unfortunate reality.
2. A jealous boss might manage through fear and manipulation.
3. What makes jealous managers so difficult to deal with?
4. Why is your boss displaying professional jealousy?
5. How do you manage a jealous boss?
6. Never undermine a jealous manager.
7. You are the one who needs to manage this dilemma.
8. What if you are the jealous manager?

The seriously jealous boss’s goal is to be the most rewarded, incentivised, and recognised manager in your industry (not just your company).

Every ounce of credit, now and always, belongs solely to them—no exceptions. Often, they have reached the pinnacle of their careers and looking for kudos.

Favourite Phrase: “They do not deserve it, it was just plain luck!”

At first glance, it sounds ridiculous, but the green-eyed boss is a reality and not a boardroom myth.

Nothing escapes their notice, spying readily on colleagues, superiors and staff.

This may sound a bit odd at first. One realises then they make themselves feel better about being in control and “better” than everyone around them.

They are collecting ammunition to keep you in line, no matter how good or fast you are rising through the ranks.

They might prey on employees’ anxiety about keeping their jobs and promotion prospects by making threats, stealing credit, and running riot in the workplace.

These types of managers have managed to carve themselves a niche in the business. Having realised that they are at the end of their particular line, they aim to defend that niche tooth and nail.

Heaven helps you if you accidentally pass by their den on your high-performing way to your destination!

What makes a professionally jealous boss so problematic is that it is so hard to pin down.

You may not even notice at first that you have a jealous boss.

But continuous subtle signs will alert you.

You will find yourself in embarrassing situations where you can not defend yourself. The fear is making your boss look bad. Or credit has mysteriously gone to your boss despite your hard-won work.

Often you can not even label it. It is just a feeling or an attitude that you can detect. You are hitting targets and crushing goals. Yet, your boss stays cold, cuts you out of projects, and embarrasses you. That sounds like jealousy!

This is a hard one to explain considering that sourcing and promoting talent is part of the job description of any successful manager.

Often personal insecurity is at the root of professional jealousy.

Depending on the company culture, having brilliant staff may be a real threat to your boss’s job security.

The jealous boss takes your competence as a personal threat. They perceive your trajectory as custom-designed to usurp them from their position of power and influence. Such managers will stop at nothing –  shaking the earth and bending the skies – to block you before you even get close.

A divide-and-conquer mentality is another reality. The boss aims for self-protection over efficiency, not overtly though.

Your boss could also misunderstand your objectives. You may be working particularly hard to acquire various skill sets and your boss thinks you are angling for their job.

A jealous boss feels justified in blocking your progress because of a perceived threat to the stability of their position.

Either your excellence is threatening their superiority or your “incompetence” is a slight to their management skills. Or something in between.

Whichever way the cookie crumbles, this is boss needs careful management.

The keyword here is “manage”. You cannot rely on a jealous boss to maintain an objective perspective on your achievements or progress. Assess your situation.

Make an effort to keep them informed and even discuss your intentions and career goals with them.

For example, if you have your eye on a position in a different department or a different level, talk to the boss (if you feel comfortable).

Kick things off by outlining your work goals and explaining why you are seeking a one-on-one. Reassure the boss that you are seeking to make them look great by being good at your job.  Outline your personal ambitions.

Maybe you can relieve the pressure by telling your boss indirectly you do not want their job.

Another power move: track your wins. Not only does it fuel your motivation, but it also builds an undeniable proof of your performance.

Jot down every project you have tackled. Highlight your role and the impact you made.

By keeping “black-and-white” records, you can demonstrate your value to the boss with ease.

Do not undermine a jealous boss. There is always the possibility of victimisation.

Be extra careful if your boss’s boss asks you to do something. Make sure that everyone is on the same page and that your direct manager knows and understands the context. You would not like professional jealousy having them feel betrayed. Try to keep it clear and simple.

The essence of any strategy for dealing with a jealous boss can be summed up in the adage: Give them enough rope….

The behaviour of a jealous manager is counterproductive to any company’s goals. Keep a good record of what you do and maintain your work ethic. Sooner or later, the boss’s irrational behaviour will come to light. 

Make sure all the odd little coincidences and “feelings” you have been getting are correct.

Realise that you are not the maggot at the bottom of the pile. Next, choose your game plan and take control. You are ultimately the one who needs to manage this situation, not your boss.

Either that or you will have to flee the situation, which may be fine if you hate your job.

If other managers see your potential and believe you have a future at the company, you will have to be patient.

Second, validate the point of view that some of the boss’s criticisms might be true about you.

Take a hard look at your work performance and outputs and make whatever changes are necessary. Again, it is about your performance being factually beyond reproach. | #MeerkatMotivationalSpeaker

Just because your boss is jealous does not mean everything they say about you is incorrect.

Make sure you can spot the difference. Be prepared to modify your behaviour when criticism is just and accurate.

Ensure your performance in real, objective terms is unimpeachable and can be proven so.

Jealous bosses are setting themselves up for a long-term defeat. If you can stand the pressure, you can outlast such a person.

But you can also turn them onto your side. To do that, you first need to identify the situation correctly and react accordingly.

Most jealousy is fuelled by insecurity.

Fulfil your responsibilities to the letter. Leave no quarter for accusations to stick to you.

• Understand that successful “direct reports” reflect well on you, not badly.
• Never believe that you have reached the end of your line. There is always room for growth and change in any career. | Estienne de Beer
• The human capital that your staff represents can truly turn you from being a mid-weight boss into a huge contributing leader.
• Learn to recognise the difference between personal ambition in your staff, and their possible desire to usurp you.
• Accept that you can never know everything, or control every detail.
• Learn to cooperate with the strengths and knowledge of others for mutual benefit and gain, instead of trying to protect what you already have.
• Validate the opinions and experience of your staff. They may not have been in the game as long as you, but diversity is the lifeblood of business. What they know and think are very useful.