13 types of Singaporean bosses you will meet in your career

Whether you like it or not, your boss can make or break your career.

If your boss is someone who constantly micromanages and undermines you, you may end up dragging yourself to a job that you thought was your dream job.

However, if you are blessed to have a supportive boss who is a great mentor, it might be worth your while to stay on in a job that wasn't your first choice to learn as much as you can.

No matter what your boss is like, we are sure that you may have encountered some of these common types of bosses while working in Singapore.

THE SUP WHO DISAPPEARS FOR 'MEETINGS'

You can never find them at their desk because they're always out and you don't know where exactly they are - even during crunch time.

ALSO READ: Singapore bosses from hell: 'He cut my salary by $1,000 because he felt like it'

THE EVERYTHING-ALSO-CAN MANAGER

The super "relax one corner" kind who behaves more like a friend to you. Anything also goes - unless you commit a crime, that is.

THE EVERYTHING-ALSO-DON'T-KNOW MANAGER

You can't count on them for anything because whenever you ask them something, they don’t seem to know what's going on or have a solution for you. It makes you wonder how they got there in the first place.

THE ONE WHO DOESN'T TAKE 'NO' FOR AN ANSWER

Not happy? Voice it out - oh wait, don't. Because they'll spend the next hour telling you why you're wrong.

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THE ONE WHO PRETENDS TO KNOW EVERYTHING

They don't seem to know anything when you ask them, but in front of the bosses, they know everything. Why? Because they just take what you said and turned it into their own words to mask their incompetence.

THE PASSIVE-AGGRESSOR

Their version of power play is through passive aggression. It makes you really angry but they weren't rude to you, so you just have to suck it up.

THE RARE MANAGER WHO EARNED YOUR RESPECT

They tell you straight-up if you've screwed up and while the praises are not thrown about languidly, you know they’re sincere about them. And they're one of the few in the company who actually know what they're doing. Respect ah, brother/sister.

THE NEWBIE

The one who just joined the team and uses the "I'm new" card whenever convenient. OK lah, I give you chance.

THE ANGEL

They're everything you look for in a boss - strict yet understanding; friendly without crossing the line.

They make you never want to quit your job and you even feel tempted to follow them when they leave the company because no one can quite match up to their standard. And the best boss award goes to…

THE BOSS WHO CAN'T GET HIS/HER PRIORITIES RIGHT

They think a meeting with them is above everything else, even when the company is burning (figuratively). They insist you work on something that is not as urgent, and when you point out that more urgent matters await, they pull the "I'm the boss" card. OK loh.

THE FOREIGNER WHO REFUSES TO ADAPT

"Back in my country…" Sorry hor, but am I not working in Singapore right now?

THE POWER PLAYER

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The one who says, "I want you to do it", while emphasising on the "I" because that changes everything. He or she is your boss, so even if you have a better idea, if he or she wants you to do it, you'd better do it - you know, because they say so.

THE MANIPULATOR

He or she knows how to get you to do things, and it's not through power play.

Rather, they appeal to your emotions. They can be super nice to you and say things like "I'm sorry you had to do this" or "You're the only one I can think of who can do this job because you're capable" when delegating a task that is not your daiji, including personal favours.

ALSO READ: The No. 1 trait great bosses share

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.