Over my 30+ year c@reer, I had at least a dozen bosses. Though I can't say I ever became close friends with any of them, there were a couple for which I have fond memories. Most had their good and bad points as all bosses do. Most were fair, at least in their own eyes, which is all you can expect. Some I clicked with and others - just never could connect. Still, for the most part, I can't complain much.
There was one guy who did try to set me up to be fired. He took an instant dislike to me, even before he was my boss. He was very careful to cover his tracks by treating me half-way courteously, etc. Still, I soon found out about his behind the scenes skulduggery. I was able to thwart his efforts (with some behind the scenes help, I'm fairly certain). Eventually he moved on and had a brief meteoric rise. At first it seemed that crushing folks beneath ones feet was the way to the top. But, he made so many enemies by his methods that when he finally screwed up, there was no one to catch him. He was at a high enough level that his departure was not described as a termination, but everyone knew - and no one shed a tear. There was actually talk of a celebration, but nothing ever came of it.
My own eventual departure (related elsewhere) came after a year long discussion of moving me to a position I had little talent for and no interest. I made it clear that I didn't want it. When the word came down, I went to my current boss the day after Labor day and informed him that my last (w*rking) day would be that Friday. I would finish out my c@reer on vacation.
My departure pales in comparison to those in the article (and, may I say it, to that of Nuiloa, heh, heh - good one!
). Still, there was a satisfaction in being in a position to just say "No. I don't want to do that, and I'm not going to do that!"
