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How to Tell If Your Boss Is Crazy
Guy Kawasaki of How to Change the World | August 19th, 2008 - 05:40 PM
(36) found this useful. Do you? 
David Eraker started a company called Mindsite to help people who are searching for answers about mental health. I found out that the DSM-IV is the go-to guide for diagnosing mental health issues, and Mindsite is the first company to publish this resource online for consumers to read directly. I know lots of people who are searching for mental health information–they’re called “disgruntled employees,” so I asked David to help me help you figure out if your boss is crazy. Here are the main personality disorders from the DSM-IV as they relate to your boss.
Narcissistic
If your boss shows arrogant behaviors or attitudes, has a grandiose sense of self-importance, and takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends, then your boss may be a narcissist. This is the loudmouthed CEO with a Porsche parked out front and a Rolex who is always claiming that he’s doing “the next big thing.” He frequently needs an entourage of yes-people who suck up to him. Support groups for the employees of narcissists are some of the most active online. Continued interaction with them can be downright toxic though because they can turn you into a spineless puppy dog or a powder keg of anger. (For more information about the narcissistic personality disorder, go here.)
Paranoid
If your boss is preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of people, suspects that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving them, and is reluctant to confide in others because of unwarranted fear that the information will be used maliciously against him or her, then your boss may be paranoid. You could make the case that a paranoid company is always worried about the competition, and is therefore more likely to take care of its customers. That’s the basis of Andy Grove’s book Only the Paranoid Survive. However, there’s little to be said for working for a paranoid boss if the fears do not make any sense. (For more information about the paranoid personality disorder, go here.)
Obsessive-Compulsive
If your boss is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the point of the activity is lost and interferes with task completion, then your boss may be obsessive-compulsive. Many entrepreneurs have experienced board members and investors who tried to micromanage their financial projections and reports to the point no return. Maybe it makes the person feel like he’s in control of an uncontrollable situation, but “uncontrollable” means uncontrollable. These folks are simply deluding themselves to think they are improving the situation and making the rest of us crazy. (For more information about the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, go here.)
Anti-Social
If your boss exhibits consistent irresponsibility as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations and a lack of remorse when having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another, then your boss may be anti-social. You should be watchful about joining a company where the CEO talks about unleashing economic disruption solely to destroy the competition. Companies that are created for such purposes seldom succeed. The key is what you do for your customers not to your competition. When is the last time you bought something to help a company hurt its competition? (For more information about the anti-social personality disorder, go here.)
There you have it: a quick guide to the dysfunctionality of bosses. To learn more about these issues and to increase control of your mental health, check out Mindsite. You might also enjoy Psychology.alltop. Now stop and also ask yourself if you’re exhibiting any of these characteristics too.
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Discussion Boards
Garrett Pierson | August 19th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Great post Guy sad thing is I am my own boss so I need to watch for these things in myself!
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brandy | August 19th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Here is a quiz on the topic, less scientific, but funny anyway….
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/bing/0706/quiz.crazybosses.fortune/index.html
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Dave Schappell | August 20th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Love the post, Guy — I found the DSM surveys to be really spot-on (having helped with some early Beta testing for Mindsite). Think it’s really cool that you’re helping them get the word out about their offering, in a fun/engaging way.
Saw you speak at Gnomedex last year — inspiring.
Dave
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Dave Selinger | August 20th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I too have been testing MindSite for quite some time (friend of Dave Eraker’s & friend of Dave Schappell’s in fact–small world). It hadn’t even occurred to diagnose co-workers/bosses, but definitely one of those alternative uses which I’m sure will end up being one of MindSite’s hidden killer-app’s
–SElly
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David Eraker | August 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Selly - hold tight for v3. I think you’ll be impressed with what we have in the hopper.
Schappell show - thx for digging earlier.
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scott ruplin | August 20th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
The problem with categorical diagnosis is that it excludes context - I know, I am a therapist who uses it daily. Many of the above character disorders, while alternately hilarious and distressing to read about, are adpative in the workplace. Narcissists, for example, tend to rise to the top in politics, business, and other fields, often leaving a trail of traumatized subordinates in their wake. Persons who are psychologically mature enough to not crave power for its own sake are often viewed as insufficiently aggressive in the corporate world. It’s a paradox, and a dilemma that diminishes productivity.
Hmm, perhaps I have a Mindsite essay in the making here!
Cheers to cousin David (Eraker).
scott
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Milfor | August 20th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
So when you go to ask for a raise do you offer to share your diagnosis?
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Cosimo | August 21st, 2008 at 12:35 am
Great Guy,
I improved myself
My previous boss was narcissistic (big Volvo … in the Netherlands Porsches are too expensive and 10.000 euros watches and always showing off is latest promotion on his business card).
My actual one is paranoid (always thinking someone is acting badly or against the company) and obsessive (creating calendars and to do’s lists even before defining the tasks and the targets).
I am looking for the ideal candidate with the full package: narcissistic, obsessive, paranoid and antisocial.
Wish me luck
Cosimo
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Eric | August 21st, 2008 at 10:29 am
If your boss is ALL of these things then he is probably an early stage investment venture capitalist.
Those people are ALL crazy.
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Ivana Taylor | August 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 am
So why do we always tend to promote these people and make them bosses in the first place?
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Bruce | November 1st, 2008 at 1:51 am
My boss is a a Paranoid and her paranoia has clouded her judgment so many times. I feel like I am working with an unstable dog without a leash. To work with someone like this and have them have power over your livelihood has to be a circle of hell that Dante forgot to write about.
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