#78 Riveting Exchanges: Managing A Bad Boss To Your Own Advantage

Portrait of smiling mixed-race businesswoman bringing documents to female boss, copy space

On this week’s edition of “Riveting Exchanges” on The WAM Podcast, hosts, Andrea Olson and Desiree Grace, talk about bad bosses. Everyone has had a bad boss at one point or another, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Perhaps you don’t know how to communicate with them, or you’re trying to get past an obstacle they have placed in front of you. Either way, different personalities and work styles often play a role.

Over the course of a three-part series, Andrea and Desiree will be digging into the types of bad bosses and circle back to give you practical advice on how to deal with these individuals. We often believe that the only way to solve the problem is to quit the job, but a bad boss can be turned to your own advantage. The ladies also talk about how to push back in appropriate and subtle ways, and also how you can be clever about the information you share with a boss who is trying to take credit for the work you have done. It is ultimately important not to become disgruntled but rather to keep building your reputation as a person of action.

“Even though you can be incredibly frustrated, once you become the person that’s complaining, you can lose credibility.” —Andrea Olson @pragmadik

MEET YOUR HOST

Desiree Grace

Desiree Grace is Director of Channel Accounts & Programs for Panduit Corporation in Tinley Park, Illinois. Desiree and her team develop and deploy channel partner strategy and programs in North America.

She previously managed the Utility channel for Eaton North America, as their Vice President, Channel Development and Operations. Prior to this role, she served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Anamet Electrical, District Manager, at Panduit Corporation, and Branch Manager at WESCO.

Grace has over 27 years of experience in electrical manufacturing and distribution and has been an active member of NAED for over 10 years. She was the 2017 Trailblazer for NAED’s Women in Industry organization. Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Political Science from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, and an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Operations from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Grace serves on the Church Council for First Congregational Church and is a volunteer with Dress for Success and Habitat for Humanity.

Connect with Desiree Grace on LinkedIn.

Andrea Olson

Andrea Olson, the author of No Disruptions: The New Future For Mid-Market Manufacturing and The Customer Mission, is inspiring and educating industrial business leaders on how to transform their approach to marketing, technology, and communications to operate more efficiently and increase profitability.

Andrea’s 19-year, field-tested background provides unique, applicable approaches to creating leaner, more effective, technology-driven, customer-facing operations. A 4-time ADDY® award-winner, she began her career at a tech startup and led the strategic marketing efforts at two global industrial manufacturers.

Andrea is the CEO of Pragmadik, an Operational Strategy Consultancy, and also a board member of the Midwest Manufacturing Business Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of mid-market manufacturing in the US.

Andrea’s most recent book, No Disruptions, provides manufacturing leaders an easy, educational read on how to increase revenue generation through marketing, branding, and effective technology implementation.

In addition to writing, consulting and coaching, Andrea speaks to leaders and industry organizations around the world on operational strategies to discover new sources of revenues and savings. Contact Andrea to access information on her book, workshops, keynote speeches or consulting.