The business industry can be stressful and can test an individual’s tolerance. When you started working in your role, your boss was encouraging and supportive. However, they have become overly critical and petty. When looking for signs your boss is threatened by you, surprising indicators may surface during interactions.

According to a 2020 SHRM survey, “The workplace adage that employees leave managers, not companies, as 84 percent of U.S. workers say poorly trained managers create unnecessary work and stress.”

Fearful, insecure employers seek to keep high achievers under their grasp to preserve power and control. If you’re dealing with a demanding boss, I recommend that you read this article for indicators that you’re a target.

1. They Disregard Your Achievements and Diminish Efforts

Your boss may view you as a threat if he feels obligated to insult your work ethic. If you progress swiftly or receive accolades from high-level management, your boss could project jealousy onto you.

2. They’re Dismissive and Pretentious

When a boss feels threatened by an employee, they will go out of their way to provide criticism. Unlike ethical bosses who encourage their workers, a spiteful boss may use sarcasm to embarrass a worker they dislike. In this case, condescension is one of the several signs your boss is threatened by you.

3. They Only Engage in Brief Conversations with You

Previously, your boss inquired about your feelings. It was common to solicit your opinion about various issues. Now, your boss refuses to acknowledge your perspective, despite its value to the conversation. They may also test your knowledge to assess your weaknesses on a specific topic.

4. They Restrict Your Communication with Higher-Level Managers

When employees exceed their responsibilities, bosses feel challenged and may begin a one-sided competition. They may also fear that you will report them to senior management about their behavior. Therefore, if their toxic personality is familiar around the office, they will try to prevent you from revealing it publicly.

Author Robert M. Townsend expressed that “A good manager doesn’t attempt to eliminate conflict; he prevents it from wasting the strengths of his people. If you’re a boss and people fight you publicly when they think you are wrong — that’s healthy.”

5. They No Longer Ask for Your Advice

If you sense your employer is becoming aloof, insecurity could be a valid reason. Suppose you’re used to meeting with your boss once a week to discuss innovative solutions, viable strategies, and relevant information. When looking for signs your boss is threatened by you, a pattern of postponed meetings may become noticeable.

6. They Stop Acknowledging Your Contributions

Previously, your boss lavished you with compliments, recognizing your credentials for the position. You were also publicly praised in front of your co-workers and management. However, your boss’s demeanor toward you suddenly shifts from pleasant to negative.

7. They Assign Irrelevant Tasks to You

Initially, your boss was satisfied with your determination and performance. You also completed significant and complex assignments that match your competence and expertise. However, your boss has been arrogant towards you and gives you unrelatable tasks to handle.

According to Kelcey Connors of YourTango.com, ”A bad boss has no respect for your time. A bad boss treats you like a machine instead of a person.”

By assigning you an irrelevant and time-consuming assignment, your boss hinders you from progressing in your profession. Most likely, they are terrified of you and seek to undermine your position.

8. They Cannot Control Their Outbursts Toward You

A jealous boss usually deflects their anger onto a target without reason. They can also be calm one minute and then have an outburst because they’re volatile. Spite is one of the most common signs your boss is threatened by you, and their anger could surface unexpectedly.

In other words, although your employer’s manner may surprise you, they may feel a sense of validation in their attempt to make you feel miserable. Also, their mood can start as an intense tantrum and then switch to somber or even sad to gain your sympathy.

Read More: 13 Tactics To Deal With An Angry Manager

9. They Take Credit for Your Hard Work

While you’re known as hard-working and creative on the job, your boss could see your competency as a challenge. Therefore, they may claim your work as their own and take credit for your adequacy. They also assign small tasks to overwork and exhaust you.

10. They Undermine Your Education and Academic Accomplishments

Post-secondary education is often required for many people to get their foot in the door of many businesses. Therefore, many entry-level employees have higher-level degrees than their superiors. They often find themselves ridiculed or criticized by their bosses, mainly due to their impressive educational history.

If your boss exhibits envy towards your academic accomplishments, most likely, they’re jealous of your education and ambitious attitude. They may even claim, “A degree is just a piece of paper,” to downplay your achievements.

11. They Withhold New Projects From You

Bosses must ensure that every task is complete and often use a delegation to monitor contributions. However, a boss who feels threatened blocks new projects from workers who execute all jobs efficiently.

When your manager sees you as a threat, they usually do such thing to guarantee that capable employees fail to receive recognition.

12. They Avoid Interaction with You

Your employer may act as if you’re non-existent or aren’t suitable for the team. They may also resort to alienation, which is one of the signs your boss is threatened by you. Their avoidance could decrease the chance of establishing a relationship with you, preventing a connection and cordial rapport.

13. They Stop You from Progressing

Your employer may never accept that you are capable of working toward a promotion. Although they know you possess specific qualities, they are determined to make you miserable. Also, they would rather keep you at a particular level below them than see you rise.

You may pose a significant threat to your anxious boss if you’re entry-level in the workforce. Since many professionals opt to work with new talent, your boss may feel inadequate or unworthy. As a result, they may attempt to terminate you unfairly or give you low ratings to ruin your career.

14. They Attempt to Sabotage Your Assignments

As a form of retaliation, your supervisor may begin to sabotage your efforts and provide you with fewer resources.

When your boss is jealous of you, they want you to fail in an attempt to gain power and use their status to their advantage. It’s important to remember that retaliatory behavior indicates your boss is willing to resort to vile measures.

15. They Hide from You

In the beginning, your boss was accessible and willing to communicate with you. However, they start alienating you, leaving you confused and wondering what went wrong. While direct interactions were easy to initiate, now you rarely see your boss due to their blatant avoidance.

16. They Give You Impossible Deadlines To Meet

Your boss is overwhelming you by giving you excessive assignments. They may allow you only a short period to complete specific tasks and threaten to dismiss you if you refuse. In addition, they may claim that you’re irresponsible if you fail to meet a deadline, attempting to prove your incompetency.

17. They Puts You Down In Front Of Management.

When a boss belittles you in front of management, it’s often a sign they feel threatened by you. By publicly undermining and criticizing you, they aim to cast doubt on your competence and reinforce their own seniority/superiority.

Belittling you weakens your standing and makes them look more capable and powerful by comparison. It stems from their own insecurity and need to assert dominance when feeling threatened.

18. They Reject Your Raise Request Without a Valid Reason

A raise request rejection doesn’t necessarily signify an issue. There could be reasons unrelated to you, such as budget constraints or downsizing. However, if your boss is spiteful, they may justify their objection to your request, manipulating you into relenting.

19. They Expect Your Work to Be Perfect

Although errors can leave a negative impression, you’re constantly afraid of making a mistake due to a fear of consequences. If you fail to meet your boss’s expectations, they may deem you incompetent. They may also make sure to dismiss the praise that you deserve.

20. They Expect You to Do Their Job

Toxic bosses love executing their power in the office. Furthermore, they also enjoy bullying their employees and may order workers to handle their duties. Their objective is to make you work overtime while sacrificing the extra income working after hours.

21. They Blame Their Faults on You

Blaming their faults on you is one of common signs your boss feels threatened by you.

Some bosses constantly complain and deny their flaws. Therefore, instead of recognizing their weaknesses, they use you as a scapegoat for their shortcomings. If the matter escalates, they blame you for their incompetency.

What To Do When Boss Is Threatened By Me

Having a boss who feels threatened by you is a tricky situation to overcome. Here are some tips on dealing with it when you notice signs your boss is jealous of you:

Understand where it’s coming from

Your boss likely feels this way because you have skills, talents or qualities that they don’t possess or are insecure about. Maybe you’re more competent in certain areas, connect better with others, or are seen as leadership material. While this isn’t your fault, understanding the root of their insecurity can help you empathize.

Don’t make it obvious

You want to avoid directly saying, “I know you feel threatened by me.” That will only make them defensive and damage your relationship further. Bringing up perceived competition or insecurity directly, even if true, often backfires.

Have open conversations

Talk to your boss about concrete work issues. Say things like:

• “I’d love more opportunities to take the lead on X projects. How can I develop in that area?”
• “Do you have any feedback on my work? I want to keep improving.”

This shows you care about doing good work and growing, not competing with them.

Compliment them genuinely

If you can authentically praise your boss’s skills, do so. Comments like “I admire how you handled that client interaction. Could you share some tips?” demonstrate respect and help build trust.

Read More: How To Compliment Someone’s Leadership In 13 Sincere Ways

Suggest collaborations

Propose working together on projects or goals. Say something like: “I think we could be a great team on this new initiative. Want to brainstorm ideas together?” Collaboration dissolves perceived competition.

Kill them with kindness

Respond positively and remain professional despite their behavior. Staying calm and kind will reveal their insecurities as their issue, not yours.

Talk to HR if needed

If tensions escalate or their behavior crosses lines, you may need to get HR involved. Explain the situation objectively and ask for help resolving it.

Don’t gossip or complain to coworkers

Voicing negativity may feel satisfying temporarily but can sabotage you in the long run. Take the high road.

Focus on your own goals

Rather than worrying about your boss’s insecurities, channel that energy into your own growth and career development.

Be prepared to leave

If the situation becomes toxic, you may need to start looking for opportunities elsewhere. Some bosses will never change their threatened attitude. Prioritize your own well-being.

Dealing with a threatened boss requires empathy, professionalism and care for your own interests. Address problems constructively but be ready to walk away if needed. With the right approach, you can overcome this challenge.

Read More:

• 5 Things To Do When Your Boss Makes You Feel Incompetent
• Thinking “My Boss Has Changed Towards Me”? Here Are 5 Ways To Handle The Situation
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• Here’s How to Deal with a Boss You Hate (Without Quitting!)
• Boss Criticizes My Personality: How To Handle Negative Criticisms
• Boss Talks About Me to Other Employees: 11 Ways to Handle a Gossiping Boss
• “My Boss Won’t Train Me”: How To Overcome This Obstacle?
• 17 Obvious Signs Coworkers Are Intimidated By You