It's Not Always Right to Be Right

Chapter 8Bad Bosses Are Great Bosses

I will always remember Saturday, 24 June 1995.

I was at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, watching my beloved All Blacks lose to the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup final.

While it's still gut‐wrenching, it remains etched in my memory forever not for the result, but rather for this one extraordinary man and his ability to inspire a country of 42 million people to unite as one.

Although he was not the leader on the pitch, he was clearly at the forefront of that historic victory. As he has famously said, ‘Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front’.

It's a shame more of us are not like him.

THE MESSAGE

Throughout your career, shit will happen. This will almost certainly include having a bad boss, or possibly even a series of bad bosses. Treat this as an opportunity and not a cause for anxiety. Relish the chance to observe them, and do so with an open mind. Document all behaviours that resonate against your values. Ingrain them in your memory and make sure you never repeat them as a leader.

Surprisingly, bad bosses are actually gifts. They give you the chance to learn what not to do. If you get landed with one, leverage the hell out of them.

It's a strange lesson, and one I did not appreciate for many years.

Bad bosses are actually great for one fundamental reason: the fact that we remember the painful moments more than we remember the joyful ones, which means we can really learn from them. I desperately wish ...