From: Bruised and Confused
A mid-career professional writes from Vietnam, struggling under a boss whose criticism has crossed into personal attacks. As the pressure spills into her family life and mental health, she questions her assumptions: Is the problem really her mistakes, or the environment itself? In this letter, she seeks clarity on power dynamics, boundaries, and how to navigate a workplace where respect is no longer guaranteed.
Dear Douglas,
I have been living in Vietnam for about 8 months now, working for an international organization I won’t name. I am in a mid-level position, not unlike the work I have done for the past 12 years. I am going through an experience I have never had before and would like to get some perspective. I can no longer talk to my husband or teenage children about this. They are tired of hearing it.
I think the problem is my boss. He is so demanding and condescending that I am completely intimidated by him. Last week he was upset over a mistake I made and said, “I wonder if you are just stupid.” I have been telling myself that the mistakes he points out are right and that I need to do better and work harder to make him happy. But now I am asking myself if he really should treat me, and others, like that. I am wondering if, maybe, I need to do something differently than to try to comply. I am constantly preoccupied with worries about the details of my job. I am sleeping poorly and not much fun for my husband and kids. I could never quit, but can’t imagine living like this for another year of my contract.
Bruised and Confused
Dear B and C,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through, and yes, it is time to get some perspective about what is happening and what you might do about it.
Because managerial models are often hierarchical, we often believe that we should tolerate behavior that is hurtful from someone who is above us in the pecking order. His behavior sounds abusive to me and I will tell you why. When someone attacks you as a person…saying you are stupid…they have crossed an important line. They are undermining your confidence and actually hindering your ability to do the tasks that define your work. The fact that you are upset by this, not sleeping and feeling worried, while accepting responsibility to improve yourself, suggests to me that he is not being respectful and supportive. It appears he is caught up in a desire for power and control, at your expense.
Yes, you need to gain perspective that allows you to feel more empowered and to find a way to assert your thoughts and feelings to him about how his behavior is affecting you.
You, we all, have the right to let someone know if their behavior hurts, irritates or upsets them. Your boss needs some thoughtful, constructive criticism that will help you restore your confidence and to improve your effectiveness at work. A few sessions with a therapist might help you to find a way to communicate your thoughts and to help your boss see that being a “bully” is really counterproductive. Sometimes we respond to a threat with passivity because we believe to express our feelings means we are weak or because we feel weak in the face of someone who uses their position and tactics to create fear. We accept personal (destructive) criticism because the other person was “right” and therefore we have to accept what they are saying about us. Passivity very often leads to the lowering of self-esteem and confidence and therefore can diminish the strength we need to stand up for ourselves. I encourage you to read up on the topic of Assertiveness…to help yourself find a way to stop the dynamic that is doing you harm in the workplace. You do not deserve the treatment you are getting.
Be well,
Douglas
