The Sunday Mail
Book Review
Edmore Zvinonzwa
A FEW weeks ago, I came across a colleague clutching a copy of Tawanda Collins Muzamwese’s book “How To Manage Your Boss: Overcome Toxic Workplaces”. My first reaction was wondering where he kept the copy in the office.
At the back of my mind, I thought Muzamwese was proffering the idea of how you can make your body subordinate to you.
When I got the opportunity to flip through the book, I realised the author is actually discussing ways of making the workplace a better place. This can only happen if subordinates are able to use emotional intelligence to understand and circumvent some of their bosses’ actions that may make the workplace toxic.
These bosses, according to the author, come in different moulds, and as such, would call for different methods to avoid problems.
Muzamwese, in the 57-page book, presents an array of characteristics different bosses may have. These are: the jealous boss, the workaholic boss, the angry lion boss, the ignorant boss, the manipulator, the competitor, the liar and the controller.
Each of these constitute a chapter, which aptly begins with a quote related to what this part seeks to achieve. For each of the bosses, the writer gives a managing strategy.
For instance, Chapter One, “The Jealous Boss”, begins with the quote: “Envy my success at your own peril — neither snow, hail nor thunder will stop my progression.” (p1)
“Jealousy is a toxic trait in the work environment, especially if it is pioneered by corporate leaders. Jealousy can never be justified. Key examples of jealous bosses include those who do not want subordinates to go for further studies due to fear of being surpassed. This is more prevalent if the boss or superior is not educated or developed professionally.” (p1)
One way of avoiding problems with the jealous boss, he says, is by never making him or her your “prime professional reference” and never disclosing your next move to this person, as well as encouraging team effort.
I found the “angry lion boss” interesting.
“Like a lion seeking prey, an angry boss yearns to devour me. I will not enter the belly of the beast,” reads the quote at the beginning of Chapter Three.
It is important to note that everyone in the corporate world, especially at the operations level, has his or her own boss.
These are the supervisors in a department, the managers, the chief executives and managing directors.
Managing directors and general managers also have their own bosses in the form of the board of directors.
Some employees resign from one job for another as a way of avoiding bosses but this is not a long-term solution.
The best way, according to the author, would be to study carefully how you can collaborate, manoeuvre and express yourself in different circumstances.
He admits that some professionals may be “surrounded by autocratic leaders and at times those who do not recognise effort. The end result is exasperation and annoyance”.
“How to manage your Boss: Overcome Toxic Workplaces” then becomes a manual that some people in employment relations can always refer to not as an exhaustive source book but for ideas on how they can circumvent certain situations.
A workplace that is peaceful is always more productive because the employees are not individuals but members of a team.
Also, success is attributed not to individuals but to the team, which then enjoys collective ownership of that achievement.
That way, the team also shares the failures, and can come up with interventions that can help deal with the organisational challenges that emerge at any given time.
Muzamwese has published several other books. These are: “The Leading Consultant: How to Become an Authority in Your Professional Field”; “Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Management Systems”; Step-by-Step Guide to Safety, Health and Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) Management Systems; “Sustainability Guidebook for Boards and CEOs: Leading From the Front” and “How to Develop a Side-Hustle into a Viable Business: Overcome Salary Dependency”.
The latest release is his sixth.
The author is an international sustainability consultant. He has over 10 years of experience working with manufacturing, mining, construction, security, service and other associated industries.
He received a Master of Environment and Energy Management (cum laude) degree from Universiteit Twente, Netherlands, after earlier attaining a Bachelor of Science (distinction) from the University of Zimbabwe.
Muzamwese was selected as an Economic Empowerment Fellow by the United States Department of State in the Business Entrepreneurial Exchange.
