Taming the Abrasive Manager: How to End Unnecessary Roughness in the Workplace

Chapter 7. Why We Don't Take Bulls (or Bosses) by the Horns

There's no question that abrasive bosses do harm. So why don't we confront them and put an end to the pain they cause? Why don't peers and subordinates stand up for themselves? Why don't superiors step in and set limits? Your local matador will tell you that stepping into the bullring to take a bull by the horns is extremely risky business. The same holds for abrasive bosses. People don't step in to confront abrasive bosses for the same reason that people (with the exception of a few very well paid matadors) don't take bulls by the horns—they're afraid. There it is again, that same threat → fear → defense dynamic that we examined in bears, bosses, and now coworkers. Abrasive bosses perceive ...