Posts by Emily Gregory

Clarifying Expectations with a Passive-Aggressive Boss

I work at a small company with a senior director whose communication style feels passive-aggressive. Instead of clearly assigning tasks, he frames requests as questions (e.g., “Would I be able to…”), then later complains to supervisors when the work doesn’t match what he apparently wanted. Employees follow his words as stated, not his implied expectations, and feel criticized or “caught” for doing things wrong. Leadership has not addressed the issue, and many of us feel frustrated and bullied. How can we work with someone like this without becoming constantly frustrated?

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Leaving a Bad Boss on Good Terms

I have recently got a new interim chair leader and I’m struggling with his leadership style. The interim chair who hired me was a strong leader who listened and led with consideration for his team. My new interim chair is a top-down, hardline authoritarian and I’m having a difficult time in this new season. I have decided to start searching for new opportunities, but I want to be sure I have productive conversations with my new interim chair until I find something, and I want to ensure I “interview” my new potential leaders well so I don’t move from one toxic situation to another. Any suggestions?

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What to Do When Your Boss Is a Bully

The manager in our department is widely regarded as a bully. Her behavior includes frequent outbursts directed at whoever is nearest, followed by long, accusatory emails. This has become a normalized management style, and it’s taking a serious toll—several team members are now on antidepressants due to the ongoing stress. I’m not directly in her line of fire, which gives me some objectivity, but what I see is deeply troubling. Is the only option for staff to leave or medicate just to cope with this environment? What can I do?

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What to Do When Personality Differences Hinder Teamwork

In my experience, it is easier to work on teams with people who are alike.  When people are really different, it seems like there is much more friction on the team. I am now a manager of a team that has a lot of different types of people, and I don’t know how I can create a cohesive, well-running team with this group. It seems like it might be easier to change out some of the team members, but that doesn’t seem right or fair. How can I get everyone to work well together?

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How to Bring Up a Sensitive Subject with Your Spouse

My wife has a good job and is an overachiever. Prior to the Covid pandemic, I had a great job that paid well, and at the time I made more than her. Then I lost my job and struggled for about a year before landing a job that pays less. My wife, on the other hand, was promoted and given a raise during this time, so now she makes more than I do. She SAYS it makes no difference, but I’ve noticed changes in our relationship and how she treats me. Should I bring this up to her? How do I confront her behavior and what appears to be a lack of respect?

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