5 Types of Difficult Lab Supervisor and How to Handle Them
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Science attracts so many different and quirky personalities that you are bound to have some people with whom you just don’t get along – conflicts happen, and there are many strategies you can take to deal with conflict in the lab. But when your lab supervisor is the problem, it can be a big issue for you.
So, what should you be doing when dealing with a difficult lab supervisor?
Well, sometimes the best advice is to just move on to a position or environment that is more suited to your personality. However, in many cases, if you can understand your lab supervisor’s personality type, it can help.
Five Types of Difficult Lab Supervisors, and How to Handle Them
Here are some of the different types of particularly difficult personality traits I have found in lab supervisors I have worked with, along with a few ways to try to get along with each type of person.
1. “Did I Hear That Right?” – The Passive-Aggressive Personality
Passive aggressiveness is a strategy used when a person basically isn’t able to confront issues directly, so they will use an indirect means of criticizing you instead. It could be in the form of comments or actions that make you question yourself or cause you to make mistakes.
It is difficult to address because oftentimes any reaction may be seen as you “taking it the wrong way” and others may not always see the problem.
The only way to deal with passive-aggressive behavior is to recognize it and call it out at the time it is happening. You don’t need to be rude or aggressive back. Simply let the person know that their comment was not OK and that their rudeness is unnecessary.
The idea is to bring their behavior out into the open. You will feel good about defending yourself without resorting to backbiting or complaining, and chances are that once they realize that it doesn’t work on you, they will stop.
2. The Manipulator
Some lab supervisors can demonstrate qualities of manipulative behavior. This is particularly common where there is a large power difference with regard to education or authority.
You are the subordinate here and so are anxious to make your lab supervisor happy and to prove your worth. You may find that you are saying ‘yes’ to things without really wanting to. The problem is that this type of lab supervisor may not be looking out for your best interests, having you running off in multiple directions and not focusing on your career goals because it suits their needs.
In a way, this feels like a compliment because you are taking care of so much and feel validated in your job. But it is important to know when it has gone too far and to notice when you are not progressing in the direction you have set for yourself. The most critical thing is to learn to recognize when it is happening and then to address the specific situation with your supervisor privately.
It may be uncomfortable if you are not used to speaking up, but you will develop great skills in managing others (managing up), and with a little skill and patience, you can be sure to keep your career on track while still making your lab supervisor look good.
Setting boundaries at the beginning is key.
3. The Unfocused Supervisor
Having a supervisor who lacks focus can be exhausting for the people reporting to them.
This type of lab supervisor has so much energy – they want to do everything and want it done yesterday. They constantly commit to more projects without checking with the people who actually do the work. Their positive energy is infectious and it can feel great to be so productive.
The problem occurs when you are starting new projects or experiments every day. Priorities change daily, or sometimes hourly, and you can’t finish a task before a new one is added to your to-do list. The only way to keep up is to work very long hours, and even then your head is barely above water. This type of situation will lead to burnout if not handled in a timely fashion.
The best way to address this situation is to have a talk with the supervisor – but be prepared! Make a list of every project you have going, where it is in terms of being finished, and the deadline (if there is one).
Explain how you prioritized the list and what you feel are the most important projects to complete before taking on more. If the supervisor wants to add more to your list, give them an honest assessment of when it could be started. When they insist that it must be started earlier, ask them which project on the list should be bumped off.
The idea is to deliver a dose of reality – show them how all of the commitments are overlapping so they can understand the volume of work on your plate. You need to be firm when stating that you simply cannot take on another project until projects x, y, and z are finished.
The supervisor wants to keep you working hard for them and making them look great. You just need to restore your sanity and feel good about having a job well done instead of 20 jobs all done poorly.
This type of supervisor often doesn’t realize the extent of your frustration until you discuss it, so it may come as a shock when you finally draw the line.
4. The Micro-Manager
Depending on the type of worker you are, a micro-manager can be a benefit or a nightmare. If you like to have a lot of direction and attention, you won’t mind a micro-manager at all. However, if you prefer to work independently, you won’t be a good match with a micro-manager.
This type of supervisor will check in with you every 5–15 minutes to see how you are progressing. You know you are in trouble when the lab supervisor positions your desk or cubicle as close to their office as possible.
To survive micro-management, you can try a couple of techniques. One is to find another place to focus on your work; whether you need to read papers or work on a presentation, find an empty conference room where you can focus without being disturbed. If leaving your desk is not an option, try putting on headphones (even if your device is off) as an indicator that you are focused and can’t be disturbed.
If constant interruptions are occurring in the lab, set your timer to go off in 1–2 minutes. If you are being called to your supervisor’s office while trying to get your lab work done, bring the timer with you and let them know you only have a few minutes before you need to get back to your samples.
5. The Put-Down Supervisor
I saved this for last because this is probably the worst situation of all. It is difficult to handle a supervisor who rules by negative reinforcement. Most people will not last under these circumstances, and who would want to?
The best method of dealing with a difficult lab supervisor of this type is to make sure you don’t work for someone like this to begin with.
During your interview, make sure you talk to others in the group or lab, and you may also want to check references for the supervisor with others who worked with this person and left the group.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you have been subjected to verbal insults, if you are not overly intimidated, try speaking to them about it and give specific examples of when their language was inappropriate or crossed the line. If you don’t feel comfortable confronting the situation, it would be best to leave, plain and simple. No job is worth the anxiety and stress of dealing with abuse.
Take-home Message for Dealing with a Difficult Lab Supervisor
Labs, like all workplaces, are dynamic, with many different personalities all needing to work together. It is not uncommon that two people just don’t click and personality clashes will occur – just make sure that you deal with the aftermath as professionally as possible.
The answer to any uncomfortable situation with a difficult lab supervisor or co-worker is always to be positive and constructive. Focus on the problem and not the person. Focus on how to work together and not how to get the other person to change – because they won’t. I can’t stress enough how important it is to leave any job with relationships intact.
Never insult the lab supervisor or management or retaliate on your way out. That is the surest way to never be hired again.
I only listed a few personality types that I have seen during my working years or as reported to me by colleagues. What types of supervisor personalities have you come across during your time in the lab, and what methods have you used for dealing with a difficult lab supervisor?
Originally published 17 March 2009. Updated and republished 10 December 2014. Reviewed and updated on 10 January 2021.
Its a sad fact, but I feel better after reading all of these posts. I am a nurse and currently work in an environment that is fine if you never open your mouth and just do what you are told. If you do question anything, or politely express your dissatisfaction with something…God forbid, look out. And I am not one to not respond to these nasty, disrespectful mini attacks. And that really doesn’t go over well. I thought it was just me and maybe age. But I see it`s not from all previous posts. I don’t want to job hop. Too stressful starting a new position. Need to hear some ideas for just keeping my mouth shut, lol.
Try looking into agency work. They pay well and you can keep your regular job until you are ready to leave. Many have insurance and 401k now. I had that situation and had 3 part time jobs. I did not like my boss’ attitude in one and was able to say adios with no problem because the agency and other part time job could have me working 7 days a week if I wanted. I work 2 days and twice a month 3 and make the same money I used to working full time.
This is to Toooldtochange.: Remember that in the medical profession, surgeons especially, there is a greater number of sociopaths, and psychopaths than the statistical norm for the rest of the population. (1 or 2/100). Review your psychology notes from nursing school and get a good handle on recognizing these dysfunctional personalities. Narcissists, or people having some of those traits are equally dangerous. This knowledge should help you steel yourself with stealth in dealing with these types. Anybody who embarrasses or humiliates you in front of a patient should be asked at a later point, away from the patient, who in the hell they think they are to grab notes or whatever they did in front of the patient. Also remember that one doctor a day kills themselves in the USA. You are often dealing with suicidal maniacs so you could be helping the good doctor along with yourself. If you are too old to change, you have nothing to lose by taking them to task. You didn’t say if you are in a hospital environment or not. If you are, you can threaten the hospital administrator to go to the hospital board where you can threaten the board to go public on these weasels. AFter they fix their tweaked and bloody noses, you will be in a better place, because you have nothing to lose. Good luck.
Sooooooo what about if your boss is all 5 of these types?
I’m not alone!!Lol!!!
Give me 5 too! Yeah!
Finally! Knowing that I’m not alone with this same problem makes me feel better. I had a put down boss who always gave negative reinforcement and ill comments about his staff. He seemed nice at first and then makes you feel guilty for not performing. He uses guilt for controlling employees. I got so fed up that I went awol. I got so depressed and felt worthless because of his daily ranting about our performance even though we did our best. I even considered harming myself. Now I know that I can always stand up for myself. No job is worth your life especially with a horrible psycho boss who pretends to be nice.
What if your boss has all 5 traits and people just keep putting up with it for years and he only micro manages people that do not need managing? Is it to make himself looks like he knows what is going on? I see people that need to be managed and whom have even bragged of going to other job interviews on the bosses dime, but he manages and watches the ones under his feet while his “trust worthy, years of service person cuts him down to employees and goes on job interviews and runs personal errands on his dime, orders lunches brings them back and then starts lunch, I am not sure if it is a male favoritism thing or employee favoritism thing, all I know is it is wrong.
Lee, it is a manager who doesn’t know what he is doing with a staff of people. In sports, why is it that a team that was in last place one year, does nothing to change the team, but changes its coach is in first place the next year or after all the damage is undone? It is because the previous coach was an ass in over his head who didn’t know what he was doing. The new coach understood how to motivate human beings who are professionals at their craft.
There are a lot of games I watch where I say to myself, how can anyone be so stupid? I am referring to the decisions made by the coach, and that coaches lack of leadership. Translate this to your workplace. Your boss is making a classic mistake: thinking he can be friends with staff and not have it affect staff. How can anybody be so stupid? Management above your boss has to be stupid if this is the status quo for a long time. On your death bed will you feel great that you never said anything to anybody at your company about this ass? I think not. Better to say something so you won’t have that regret on your death bed.
The manager keeps talking negatively with me and degrading the way I present information. My personalty is not rigid and he knows this and try to use it against me to show others how strong is he. I can feel that.
Recently, he sent email and he altered my name. My last name for example is Jeffrey. In the email he wrote Mr. jeff rey. He makes the first letter small and put a space in the middle. Do you think I can use this email where he allitered my name against him? Is this a red lined crossed?
I never react against him negativly but instead try to fix the issues and at the same time records in my notes all the insulations with date and time so I can open a case against him with his direct boss or with the personnel.
Your suggestions are very appreciated.
As far as the email issue, let it go. There’s no way you can prove this was done on purpose. In regards to record keeping, what you’re looking for is something that is a clear cut major violation of HR regs, not something that is more minor in nature. So choose your battles wisely and remember that while you may win one particular battle against this guy, you risk losing the war; i.e. HR may back you up for a major infraction but there are always multiple ways this jackass can retaliate against you. Because retaliation is strictly forbidden by HR, you had better not screw up in your work duties because guess who will be waiting to pounce if you fail. If you’re like me and you’re in sales, it’s REAL easy for these losers to retaliate against you. About 10 years ago I had a manager who was a real tool who seemed to delight in humiliating everyone on our team. Yeah sure, our numbers sucked but he loved kicking people when they were down. He really went after one rep in particular, accusing her of not working, so I told her to document EVERYTHING; i.e. sales calls, business cards collected etc. The next week she told me she did what I advised and presented it to him but he STILL accused her of not working so I told her to call HR. Right after she called them, this clown immediately backed off. He never mentioned HR to her but I’m quite sure they called him to make sure he was conducting himself in a professional way. Ultimately, one by one we were all fired for not hitting our numbers but he did us a favor. Who wants to work for a sick, maladjusted tool who can’t get beyond his own rotten childhood anyway…
I love it. I have forgiven my horrible bosses despite the bad things they said to me. I’ll just take it as a learning experience. However, it just goes to show that there are psychotic individuals who love control so much that they forget their humanity to insatiably try to fill their voids in life at the expense of others.
Could be he was writing from his mobile phone? My Dad used to tell me “this is not your first job and it won’t be your last”. And “they are paying you to put up with the a-holes”. I am looking for jobs which cheers me up when I see there are many opportu nities. You will always make a living and get by. Hang in there.
What to do if boss is less educated and he is a boss just because of long experience as by luck he got a chance to start up his job with a company and then he never left.
Now he behaves as he is the best and only one who knows the job.
So I am a chef on a ship. So we have a rank structure on the vessel. However I can speak from experience that going to HR is not the best route to go. Even though they say it is anonymous it definitely is not. However this being said, I have a captain on our ship that is a complete jerk that falls under all 5 of those categories and more!!! I am a white man and the reason why I am saying this is because I have witnessed this white captain do completely racist things to my black coworkers and it obviously adversely affected me. So I reported this issue along with other problems we were having with him to HR about 1 1/2 years ago. Since I reported the incident he has done nothing but bully and retaliate for being reported to the company by a so called anonymous person which they told him it was me. Since then he has tried every way possible to make our work harder and much more difficult for the last year and a half. How do you deal with a person like this when the company doesn’t care and allows him to continue with this kind of behavior. Complaints to my union also go unanswered and unchecked please help I’m desperate and love my job other than this jerk!
omg. I feel you. It’s like HR is not really helping at all. Some people are indeed jerks. We’re working for various reasons to make life better and these crazy people just love to make other employees’ jobs more difficult.