Challenging First Meetings with New Bosses: Memorable Experiences

In the fast-paced world of business, transitioning to a new boss can be unsettling. Two unique and memorable experiences illustrate the challenges some employees face during their first meetings with new managers. These stories highlight the significance of first impressions and the potential consequences of a difficult boss.

Memorable Experience #1: The New Department Head at a Theme Park Company

Years ago, I joined a big theme park company and received a spot-on hire offer during my first interview for a second shift position. My department head was so impressed with my performance that he immediately introduced me to the supervisor whom I would be working for that night. Astoundingly, after just a few minutes of interacting with him, I exclaimed, “This guy's an asshole!”

The supervisor in question was indeed difficult. Recognized as arrogant, hot-tempered, and manipulative, he was disliked by nearly everyone in the department. This boss's behavior included boasting about an affiliation with a high-ranking individual in the company, which only served to further embolden his unprofessional conduct. After just one year of our tenure, a new department head was appointed. His primary objective was to interview every department member to gauge how things were progressing, identify potential improvements, and address any issues. The consistent feedback from the interviewees was a resounding acknowledgment of the previous manager's problematic behavior: "This guy's an asshole.”

Within a single week of assuming his role, the antagonistic supervisor was dismissed from his position. Not only was he transferred to another department, but he was fired. This incident effectively served as a form of retribution, or as my colleague put it, "Karma came a-calling."

Memorable Experience #2: The Manager's Visit Outside the Territory

Another memorable experience occurred when I was working remotely in the 1990s, managing a territory spanning from Rolla, Missouri, to Fort Wayne, Indiana. My manager was located in Des Moines, Iowa. One day, I received an unexpected call informing me that a new manager would be visiting me. Eager to meet my new supervisor, I planned a 7-hour drive across several states to check into a comfortable hotel in Des Moines.

However, the night of my arrival was far from welcoming. At 10 PM, a stranger attempted to enter my room. Firmly instructing them to leave, the intruder complied. Around 1 AM, the same person tried to enter my room again. Again, I told them to go away and they left. Unable to return to sleep, I left my room to fetch a drink from the vending machine and noticed that my electronic key would no longer unlock my room.

After a 10-minute walk to the front desk, I was informed that the previous visitor to my room had changed the key code. Consequently, I was on a different floor than my room. Upon presenting my ID, the front desk manager refused to allow me access to my room, considering the hotel's policy against unauthorized guests. I was left standing in the lobby until 5 AM, when a manager finally arrived to resolve the issue and allow me entry to my room. Unfortunately, the night's sleep was cut short when I received a visit from my new boss at 8 AM, who casually remarked, "I'm no longer your boss. I got promoted yesterday afternoon."

These experiences underscore the importance of first impressions and the long-term impact of a toxic work environment. They also emphasize the need for organizations to address such issues promptly and effectively to maintain a healthy and productive work culture.