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Hey Strategic Stylers! 👋
Ever leave a meeting with your boss feeling like you've just run a marathon, even though you were just sitting down? Do you feel drained, uninspired, and constantly on edge at work?
If so, you might be dealing with a workplace energy vampire.
These aren't the caped, garlic-hating vampires of folklore. These are the bosses who, through their management style and personality, suck the life and energy out of their teams. They leave you feeling depleted, demotivated, and questioning your own abilities.
We recently shared a graphic on our social media that breaks down the four most common types of workplace energy vampires. Now, let's take a deeper dive into each one and, most importantly, how you can protect your energy and sanity when you're dealing with them.
The Signs
1. The Micromanager: The Control Freak
What they do: The Micromanager needs to control every single aspect of your work. They dictate not just what you do, but how you do it.
They hover
They question
They nitpick
They leave no room for autonomy or creativity
They often have a deep-seated fear of losing control and believe that no one can do the job as well as they can.
How it feels: Working for a micromanager is suffocating. You feel like you can't make a single move without their approval.
Your confidence plummets
You start to doubt your own skills
You may even become dependent on their constant input
It's a fast track to burnout and a total creativity killer.
How to deal with it:
Over-communicate: Proactively provide your micromanager with detailed updates before they ask for them. This can help to ease their anxiety and build their trust in you.
Ask for their input early: Involve them in the early stages of a project to get their buy-in and then ask for more autonomy as you progress.
Set boundaries: Gently but firmly let them know that you work best when you have some space to think and create. You can say something like, "I really appreciate your input. I'll be sure to come to you with any questions, but for now, I'd like to try tackling this on my own."
The Signs
2. The Drama Queen: The Crisis Creator
What they do: The Drama Queen thrives on chaos.
They turn minor issues into major crises
Create unnecessary urgency
Constantly putting out fires that they themselves have started
Poor communicators creating confusion and anxiety within the team
How it feels: Working for a Drama Queen is exhausting. You feel like you're constantly in a state of high alert, never knowing what new crisis is just around the corner. It's impossible to focus on your actual work when you're constantly being pulled into the latest drama.
How to deal with it:
Stay calm: Don't get sucked into their vortex of panic. Take a deep breath and focus on the facts of the situation.
Ask clarifying questions: When they come to you with a new "emergency," ask specific questions to determine the actual urgency and importance of the task.
Focus on solutions: Instead of getting caught up in the drama, focus on finding a solution to the problem. This will help to de-escalate the situation and show that you are a calm and capable problem-solver.
The Signs
3. The Credit Thief: The Idea Stealer
What they do: The Credit Thief is notorious for taking credit for other people's ideas and hard work.
They present your innovative solutions as their own
They are quick to throw you under the bus when things go wrong
They are often insecure and feel the need to constantly prove their own value, even if it means stepping on others to do it.
How it feels: Working for a Credit Thief is incredibly demoralizing.
You feel invisible, unappreciated, and your motivation to go the extra mile plummets.
It can make you hesitant to share your best ideas, for fear that they will be stolen.
How to deal with it:
Document everything: Keep a record of your ideas and contributions. This can be in the form of emails, meeting notes, or a personal log.
Share your ideas in a group setting: When you have a new idea, try to share it in a meeting with multiple people present. This makes it harder for the Credit Thief to claim it as their own.
Speak up (carefully): If you feel comfortable, you can gently assert your ownership of an idea. For example, you could say, "I'm so glad you liked my idea from our conversation yesterday."
The Signs
4. The Impossible Standards Boss: The Goalpost Mover
What they do: This boss sets impossibly high standards and is never satisfied, no matter how hard you work or how much you achieve.
They are constantly moving the goalposts
Always changing their expectations
Leaves you feeling like you can never win
How it feels: Working for this type of boss is a recipe for burnout. You feel like you are constantly running on a hamster wheel, trying to keep up with their ever-changing demands. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a sense that your work is never good enough.
How to deal with it:
Get everything in writing: When you are given a new project or task, ask for the expectations and deliverables to be put in writing. This creates a clear record of what is expected of you.
Set realistic expectations: When you are given a new task, be realistic about what you can achieve in the given timeframe. If the expectations are unreasonable, have a conversation with your boss about what is feasible.
Celebrate your own wins: Don't rely on this boss for validation. Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your own accomplishments, no matter how small.
Let’s get deeper!
Protect Your Energy
Dealing with an energy-sucking boss is tough, but it's not impossible. By learning to spot the signs and implementing these strategies, you can protect your energy, maintain your sanity, and continue to thrive in your career.
Remember, you are in control of your own energy. Don't let anyone, not even your boss, take it from you.
Until next time,
Stay stylishly strategic,
The Strategic Style Co. Team
WEEKEND VIBES
Closing Mini Mantra
Your chaos-filled day doesn’t define your output.
Your energy boundaries do.
Build them — and reclaim your focus, your freedom, your future.
— Strategic Style Co.
You've got this. Strategically.
Strategic Style Co. Where strategy meets style (and realistic energy levels)
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