Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills 84. What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick
Jan 21, 2026
Discover the surprising origins of bad bosses and how they're often shaped by external pressures and personal experiences. Mita Mallick shares her personal journey from being a micromanager to learning effective leadership. Explore practical strategies to manage up when facing difficult bosses and the importance of setting clear expectations. Delve into the impact of toxic positivity and the dangers of constant urgency in the workplace. Gain insights on building self-awareness and fostering a healthier team dynamic.
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Bad Bosses Are Made, Not Born
- Bad bosses are usually made by circumstances, not born that way.
- External market pressure, cultural trickle-down, and personal trauma create bad leadership behaviors.
Grief Triggered Micromanagement
- Mita describes becoming a micromanaging, disengaged leader after her father's sudden death.
- Grief reduced her patience and control, causing yelling, disappearing, and micromanagement at work.
Coach Standards, Don’t Micromanage
- Set clear standards and coach people to meet them instead of demanding excellence without guidance.
- Spend time up front giving context, guardrails, and examples to avoid micromanaging later.
