Into everyone’s life comes people who just don’t get it. There is even a chance that you will be that person for someone else at some time. The fact is, no one sets out to be an idiot. They are always well intentioned, they just don’t get it. So how do you deal with an absolute idiot? What if he’s your boss?
Pretend he is 6.
How do you deal with a 6 year old? If they are not causing any real trouble you just smile and ignore them. Sure, you correct them occasionally, but you let them mature until they understand something about life. Smile and enjoy it. You don’t spread malicious gossip. Why should you? They are only 6 after all.
And what if the 6 year old just gets too annoying? Do you gossip behind his back? Do you shoot him for target practice? No. You give him chores. If you can, you give him chores that will educate him and make him less of an idiot. Otherwise you just have him do a lot of things that need to be done. That gets him out of your hair, and gets things done. In the end he may even learn that if he is annoying, he gets more chores to do.
If that 6 year old is destroying property or reputation, you take him aside tell him to stop, and tell him what the consequences are if he doesn’t stop. Then you follow through. He may consider it a threat. You should just consider it a statement of fact. You essentially tell a 6 year old, “I love you too much to let you do that.”
What if the 6 year old isn’t yours? Then you politely draw boundaries with the kid. If the kid goes past them, you rudely let him know. You call his mom if he won’t cooperate.
Can you do that to your boss?
What if the idiot is your boss? Same thing. I mean, do the same things.
Sometimes you just have to smile at your boss and let him go about doing whatever he wants. If he is doing something destructive, give him chores – try to help him see that there are things he can do that will help, or at least won’t slow people down.
If your boss is destroying property or reputation, take him aside and tell him what the consequences are if he doesn’t stop. Are you telling his boss? Leaving the company? Asking for a transfer? Let your boss know that what he is doing is absolutely unacceptable and you will not allow him to continue doing it. Be prepared in case he fires you. Think about it, if your boss is damaging your reputation, won’t you be better off looking for a new job?
Of course there is always the final way to get rid of an idiot. Move. Get a new job or a new house. Maybe you should try the other things I mentioned first. Treat the idiots in your life like a 6 year old. It will preserve your mental health.
Something To Do Today
Don’t get mad at idiots. Get an attitude change. Look at them as really big 6 year olds.
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Later: Did you notice that job boards are mostly ads by agencies?