Boss management is the single most important task in your job description. Any slippage could cost you your job, increment, bonus or corner office. But bad bosses abound. An employee spends 8-10 hours with the boss. A bad relationship can also impact your domestic/social life. Always best to remember Rule No. 1: “The Boss is always right”. Rule No. 2: “In case of conflict, refer to Rule No. 1”.
Let’s debunk some myths. Whistle-blowers are never appreciated. Not only the boss but the whole team takes umbrage. Whistle-blowers that are forced to leave, rarely find another job, and become outcasts. The mafia word ORMETÀ (the vow of silence) is the best way to go.
The other important rule about boss management is “NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER”. Woe betide you if you forget this! Princess Diana paid the ultimate price - she outshone the royal family. This rule has been in force since human civilization began. Currently, the Trump team uses this rule as the cornerstone of their leadership strategy. And the billionaire tech bosses firmly believe that they cannot be questioned. They are on a celestial mission. If you outshine Bill Gates, you know what happens? Ask Melinda.
The most toxic of the tech bosses is Larry Ellison. Apart from the USA, the only country worth something is Japan. The rest of the world is for commercial exploitation. His son, David, through his company Paramount, completed its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, uniting two of Hollywood’s most storied studios in a media empire spanning television, news & cinema. The combined company has been renamed Skydance. Toxic or not, the Ellison family can make, remake or destroy a brand or narrative. I would be happy to kneel before the Ellison royalty and pledge allegiance.
Pakistan’s bosses can be supportive or toxic. Largely the ‘hustle’ culture prevails: fake degrees, political appointments, deal making, etc. Rising to the top through such a culture makes the boss expect the same from his subordinates. After a certain level of seniority, merit doesn’t count. Acceptability is the norm. Loyalty to the boss is the other norm.
While working in a government-owned DFI (development finance institution), I walked into the hall to see the current chairman standing in the corner. I walked up to him: “Sir, all well?” The conversation went like this:
CM: “Sh. I am doing management by observation.”
Me: “Sir, can I get you a chair?”
CM: “No. I am taking a helicopter view.”
Me: “Great, sir. You will be remembered as the Peter Drucker of Pakistan.”
CM: “Who is Peter Drucker?”
Me: “Sir, the Prime Minister of Ireland.”
End of conversation.
Women, in the corporate world, are rising to the CEO level - also in Pakistan. A good thing. They are breaking out of their traditional roles - human resources, corporate communications, etc. My daughter, who currently lives in Vietnam, argues that women bosses can be very toxic. No comments from me. But I present a scenario that happened recently:
The extended family has a deep relationship with a particular bank. Recently, I was interacting with a Relationship Manager (a lady) at one of their larger locations. She (RM) was quite helpful. I sent a WhatsApp message to the head of the bank’s H.R. Dept, appreciating the RM’s services. The H.R. chief was an old friend. He replied that he had forwarded the message to the concerned head of department. So far, so good.
A few days later, when I visited the bank for a transaction, I noticed a chill in the air. It transpired that the other girls working at the location had taken exception to my praise for the RM. Soon, things got so murky that the RM resigned.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
The writer is the former Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan