Dealing successfully with the horrible boss requires first adopting the proper mindset and then applying the workplace principles.

Laying the groundwork

However, there are so many variations of the horrible boss that any general advice for dealing with the horrible boss without knowing the specific situation is wrought with obstacles. At the same time, even without knowing the specific situation regarding any potential horrible boss, there things we can do to lay the groundwork for a Kingdom citizen to deal with the horrible boss.

Dealing successfully with a toxic supervisor starts with adopting a Kingdom worldview . When we stop seeing our job as primarily a means to earn money, obtain personal fulfillment, or even for evangelism, and instead see it as an opportunity for sanctification and Kingdom expansion, we have taken the first step toward dealing successfully with the horrible boss. 

An opportunity for Kingdom expansion

When we understand our work is an opportunity for managing the people, places, and things under the delegated authority of King Jesus (managing Kingdom territory) and we understand that expanding that responsibility as advancing the Kingdom, quitting our job because of the horrible boss becomes the last resort instead of the first.

Quitting is the first resort of those who see their job merely as a means to personal fulfillment or earning money. For those seeking the Kingdom, the horrible boss is a problem to be solved.  For the Kingdom citizen, quitting is tantamount to abandoning one’s post to the enemy, ceding territory at the sound of the first shot.

An opportunity for sanctification

When we understand our work as an opportunity for personal transformation, we see the horrible boss as a sanctification tool instead of an anxiety trigger. We can begin to parse the horrible boss’s criticism of our work, not looking for what is wrong or unjust but what might be true. His conduct becomes a catalyst for our becoming more conformed to the image of Christ.

Peter’s advice on horrible bosses

Lastly, to drive home the importance of having the right mindset, we need to look at the Apostle Peter’s advice for adopting the mindset necessary for dealing with the horrible boss:

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

I Peter 2:18–20 (NASB)

Peter, like the Apostle Paul, addressed his workplace advice to servants. He likely did this because servants performed so much of the work in the Roman Empire. Additionally, those servants were prevalent in the early Church.

The Romans obtained servants through prisoners taken in war, those born into slavery, and those who became slaves through unpaid debts. Romans would also r abandoned babies and raise them as slaves. Slaves were a foundational part of the Roman economy, performing domestic work, trades, teaching, and even professional services. 

Thus, by addressing servants, Peter was really addressing workers in general, and any and all jobs one might perform. Interestingly, even today, in the United States, we refer to the body of law governing the relationship between employers and employees as the law of “Master and Servant.”

The attitude for responding to the horrible boss

Peter’s advice will seem shocking to most modern employees. Peter says, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” I Peter 2:18. But Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8), why would we think we would be exempt? 

Peter goes on to describe horrible boss situations wherein workers suffer for the sake of conscience bearing up “under sorrows when suffering unjustly.” Peter could be describing a situation where one’s supervisor takes credit for our work, unfairly assigns blame, or shows partiality. His advice is equally applicable to all those situations where workers suffer unfairly under the supervision of another. He is setting the baseline for dealing with any horrible boss, and it  starts with ensuring we are submissive and respectful. 

Being submissive is a nod to the the position of authority our boss holds. That position is necessary to God’s management of the planet, even if the Lord is not thrilled with the person currently filling that position. Submissiveness is evidence of our faith in God, our trust in the ultimate success of His kingdom on earth, and that the Lord ultimately reserves such positions for those who are obedient to Him. 

Being respectful is a recognition our horrible boss is still created in the image of God, is likely trying to do the best he can, and is deserving of the same grace we would want if we were in the same position and that Jesus has shown us. Jesus promises if we show grace, we will be shown grace. Matthew 5:7.

The importance of favor

Similarly, Peter says that if we respond accordingly, if we bear up patiently when suffering under a horrible boss, then we will find “favor with God.” I Peter 2:19-20. In fact, Peter twice mentions the favor we will obtain. 

The favor of God is a powerful thing. Favor is not only His blessing toward us, but it engenders favor from man as well. The two are often coupled together.

Luke says “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  Luke 2:52. And when referencingt the early church community, Luke describes a similar effect, stating “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”  Acts 2:46-47. And as we will see, in one of the most horrible boss situations described in the Bible, the story of Joseph, the Bible states, “The Lord was with him [Joesph]; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” Genesis 39:21.

To deal with the horrible boss we need favor, and favor comes through suffering patiently and responding respectfully. From that position we are ready to apply the workplace principles and tackle the problem of the horrible boss.

We’ve spent some time discussing the proper Kingdom perspective and adopting the proper mindset in dealing with the horrible boss because without them the workplace principles will be merely good ideas. Committing to the proper mindset ensures we will hang in there so we can reap the good fruit of the seeds we are sowing.

Next: Applying the workplace principles in solving the problem of the horrible boss. GS