Career✓ Follow-up at 8 weeks2,450 views
I got a new manager and they're terrible
A new bad manager survival guide covering adaptation strategies, upward management, documentation, and knowing when to escalate or exit.
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Follow-Up Result
8 weeks laterAdapted to new manager's style and relationship improved after direct conversation
The Problem
My old manager was great and my new one is a nightmare. They micromanage everything, take credit for team work, give vague instructions then blame us when things go wrong, and play favorites. My job went from enjoyable to miserable overnight. I've been here 4 years and I don't want to leave but I also can't work like this. The whole team is frustrated.
The Plan
Week 1-2: Adapt and Manage Up
Give it 90 days before making any big decisions — new managers often improve once they settle in
Learn their communication style: do they want email updates or verbal? Daily check-ins or weekly? Adapt to their preferences
Over-communicate proactively: send status updates before they ask. Micromanagers micromanage less when they feel informed
Document instructions in writing: "Just to confirm, you'd like me to [X] by [date]?" — protects you from blame
Don't complain to coworkers constantly — it feels good but changes nothing and can get back to your manager
Week 3-4: Escalate If Needed
If the behavior doesn't improve, have a direct conversation: "I want to do my best work for you. Can we talk about how we can work together more effectively?"
If direct conversation fails, talk to HR or your skip-level manager — but come with specific examples, not just "they're terrible"
Start documenting problematic behavior: dates, what happened, who witnessed it, impact on work
Update your resume and start networking — having options reduces the feeling of being trapped
Know your line: what behavior would make you leave? Having a clear boundary prevents slow erosion of your wellbeing
Resources
"Managing Up" by Mary Abbajay — strategies for working with difficult bosses
Ask A Manager blog — specific advice for every manager situation imaginable
Your HR department — for serious issues like discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
r/careerguidance — community advice on bad manager situations
Follow-Up Result
8 weeks in: I adapted my communication style to match what my manager wanted — daily email updates and weekly 1:1 meetings. The micromanaging decreased by about 60% once they felt informed. I had a direct conversation about the credit-taking issue: "I'd appreciate being acknowledged when I present my work to leadership." They were defensive at first but started including my name in presentations. The vague instructions problem I solved by always confirming in writing. Two team members left but I decided to stay because the role itself is still great. The manager isn't perfect but they're manageable now that I understand their insecurities (they're new to management and overcompensating). Sometimes managing up is the most important skill you can develop.Know someone with this problem?
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