Amazing Bosses and Terrible Bosses Have One Thing in Common

They can both be good for your career.

I know — it sounds like something someone says to make you feel better about a nightmare manager. But I’m not here to sugarcoat or gaslight you. I’m here to talk to you like I would my best friend. And what I’d say is:

The kind of boss you have doesn’t determine if you grow — it just shapes how you grow.

Let’s Start With the Dream Scenario

Amazing bosses make you feel like you’re in the right place at the right time with the right person.

They:

• Make the goals clear

• Set you up to succeed

• Let you take risks

• Celebrate your wins

• Have your back in the rooms you’re not in

And honestly? That’s ideal.

If you’ve got that kind of boss — stay curious, stay open, and soak up every second.

You’ll grow faster than you thought possible, and you’ll probably have fun doing it.

But let’s be honest… not every boss is like that.

Now Let’s Talk About the Other Kind

You know exactly who I mean:

• Doesn’t listen

• Doesn’t give credit

• Doesn’t advocate

• Might actively stand in your way

And still — as frustrating (or infuriating) as it is — there’s opportunity here too.

It reminds me of school. I had teachers who loved me, and I had teachers who absolutely didn’t. But one of the best lessons I ever learned came from a teacher who hated me… and taught math.

Why?

Because you can’t fail me on a math test just because you don’t like me.

Math is math. It’s either right or it isn’t.

That stuck with me.

So what does that look like at work?

It means finding the pieces of your job where right is right — where the results speak for themselves.

Then: lean in. Highlight those. Make your work visible. Build a case no one can argue with.

Build with Your Peers, Not Just Your Boss

One of the worst bosses I ever had created the space for one of the best opportunities of my career.

Why? Because I stayed committed to solid work — and that work touched other teams. It helped me build trust with leaders outside of my immediate circle.

So when my boss eventually burned all their bridges…

Mine were still standing.

And those relationships helped launch my next chapter.

Depending on your role, your level, and the size of your company, this might not happen the same way for you — but there are almost always ways to stretch just a little outside your job description.

Find projects that cross over with other teams.

Volunteer where there’s a gap.

Support your peers — they’re often your best allies, especially when your manager is a bottleneck.

What Good Bosses Really Understand

The best bosses get it.

They understand that corporate is a transaction — and they’re not threatened by that.

They know:

• Why you’re here

• What the company wants from you

• What you might want in return

• And that helping you succeed doesn’t take away from their own success

A great boss doesn’t expect blind loyalty. They show up, clearly and authentically, to help you win.

So What Do They Both Have in Common?

They offer you leverage. Just in different ways.

With a great boss, it’s direct: you’re resourced, guided, and supported.

With a difficult one, it’s indirect: you learn how to lead yourself, build around them, and grow anyway.

And I promise you — the tools you build while surviving a bad manager? You’ll use them again and again.

Just like that math test…

Sometimes, doing good work is the best argument you’ll ever have

Action Required:

Think about the best boss you’ve ever had — and the worst.
Now ask yourself:

• What did I learn from each of them?

• What behaviors do I want to emulate — or never repeat?

• Did I outsource my growth to their leadership… or stay in charge of my own path?

Here’s the truth: you can grow under either one — if you’re paying attention.

So this week, try this:

• Write down 3 things your current or past boss taught you (on purpose or by accident).

• Identify one way you can lead yourself — regardless of their strengths or gaps.

• If you’re a manager now, gut-check: are you being the kind of boss you once needed?

Great or terrible, bosses shape us. But you get to decide what sticks — and what stops with you.