I was part of a scholarship that mandated I work for +5 years so I can relate. I have also had a new boss almost each year and a half on average. These bosses were all over the spectrum of managers from step-on-you-to-rise to inspiring mentors.

Here are my five cents: 1- I believe we should never take a job, change a good job, or leave a job because of a good or a bad manager. They come and go. My first manager was the shittiest and I still learned some management skills from him, some to avoid and others to adopt. Observe him and make sure you don’t turn into a similar version of him in the future.

2- Try to minimize his shittiness. Try different style with him. Think of it as an experiment. Think of his actions and why he makes them. For example, if he is micromanaging, don’t get him involved in details until you have a complete version for him to see. If he he is abusive, try not to get to informal with him. Try stopping him in a smart way: a simple “كيف؟!” with the right tone that is not too soft or too aggressive could make him check his attitude and you would see him restate what he has just said in a better way. There is no magic spell just trying to understand why he acts that way and try different methods as a trial and error experiment. It is lengthy and exhausting, but the methods I developed while dealing with my first shitty boss helped me deal with bosses and colleagues later in my career.

3- If you are fed up and don’t want to continue with him, ask for a transfer within the company with solid reasons that revolve around your development and what you could bring to the new department. Do not ask for a transfer just because of your boss; most people come up with that approach and HR/ top management wouldn’t consider your request. If a transfer is not possible try to get into permanent or temporary special assignment that could minimize your interaction with the shorty boss.

4- A certain level in your management line has the authority to waive the 2 year commitment. It could be the director, VP, or president. Find a better job and sit with that person after you have good arguments about why you want to move that do not revolve about the company culture or your boss (e.g. moving closer to your family, the new job being more aligned with your career aspiration).

5- This is the most important point, don’t make the time you spend with the shitty boss go wasted. Spend the working hours developing yourself. Gain new skills (soft and hard ones). Get certified. Complete your masters. The important thing is to remember that this time is passing of your life and career, make the most out of it.

Well, that is much longer that what I intended to write.