I Hate My Boss and Here's Why...

I've worked for "Jerry" for nearly a year now, and it's always been a strained relationship. He's a Northwestern/Kellogg grad, and he reaks of that pseudo-entitlement that permeates that organization and seems to infect everyone who attends it. In his soul he knows he's superior to nearly everyone he meets. Truth to tell, he's very smart, and probably very good at his job. Still, the fact that I sit four feet in front of him without even so much as a cloth partition between us is clearly galling to him.

Every now and then "Jerry" will decide that he needs to make an effort to be sociable with me. It's painful for both of us. Still, he's my boss and I guess I appreciate the effort. The other day, however, he told me a story that I think completely typifies who he is.

Several weeks ago, we had a death within the company. Our company is made up of primarily people who've known or worked together in previous companies. The death of this person, while not unexpected, was still a shock. He was very well respected and had many friends and business contacts. "Jerry" mentioned that "Linus" knew that our employee had died, and had not said anything to "Jerry."

"Jerry" wanted to touch base with "Linus," who explained had never really gotten along with "Jerry." "Linus" wasn't one to send gushing e-mail messages, and had actively campaigned against "Jerry" being hired by our company. Naturally, "Jerry" didn't appreciate this. Still, "Linus" is a figure of influence and "Jerry" wants/has to maintain a superficially cordial relationship.

"Jerry" told me that he was particularly annoyed by people who signed their e-mail messages with "Warmest Regards." The qualifier just annoyed him and came across as insincere. He told me that when he wanted to slyly tell someone he held that person in contempt, he'd sign his e-mail messages with "Warmest Regards." As he was telling me this story, he was laughing his ass off.

As he's telling me this story, all I could think was that this was the proof from the horse's mouth that my boss is a passive-agressive asshole.

All I could do was smile.