Dear Editor,
There are some benefits in working for a bad boss. I’ve had more than fifteen bosses in my career and I worked well with nearly all of them. Surprisingly, however, I learnt the most from the worst ones.
Robert Miles (not his real name), was the worst boss that I’ve ever worked for. And just saying his name puts fear in me and makes me tremble. He never took responsibility when things went badly, but he always took the credit when things went well. He was mean, domineering and vindictive, and tried to break me. He did everything to make me quit the job, but I refused to quit. He bullied and terrorized me, and I still didn’t quit. I was stubborn, determined and refused to quit. I stood up to him and didn’t back down. I wasn’t a quitter and wasn’t going to let him make me one. I was a fighter so I fought to keep my job. And I won.
It was a life-transforming experience working for Robert Miles. Working for him, made me return to school to complete my education. It was because of him that I was able to see the great value of education. It was the fear of working for him or someone like him again that made me spend many, many hours studying. To convince myself to study harder, I’d remind myself that if I didn’t study, I’ll have to work for Robert Miles. And that kept me motivated.
Many, many years after finishing the university, I went back to Robert Miles to thank him. He couldn’t understand why I’d returned to thank him after way he treated me. I thanked him because if it wasn’t for him I may not have seen the great value of an education. I may not have been as determined and worked or studied so hard to get my education. I may not have learned perseverance, determination and what it means to never give up, never surrender and never quit. I may not have been as strong, resilient and become the man I am.
Editor, though I hated working for him at the time, I wouldn’t trade what I learned for anything. There are some bad bosses who come into our lives who can make us bitter or better. To this day, I’m most grateful to him because he made me better. So don’t ever forget that your worst boss can be your best friend.
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Pantlitz