Reply To: How I handled a boss that talked down on me

I resonated with this Goksen. I had a very different, yet equally unsettling, experience at one of the organisations I worked with. There were moments when I was given important action items and responsibilities without any real discussion or consultation, and then paradoxically blamed for “not understanding things” the way I was expected to. When I sought genuine support, I was told things like “I’ll throw you into the water and then become your boat,” but in practice, that support never really came. However, if anything, these experiences taught me a great deal. Today, as I find myself in multiple leadership positions, managing teams and navigating complex situations, I feel more prepared. It has become easier to handle chaos and emotional turmoil because I’ve gone through it myself. And I believe it has made me a kinder, warmer, and more empathetic leader, the kind I wish I’d had back then.