Do you believe that you can learn as much from a bad boss as you would from a good one? Wouldn’t you learn how bad judgement, behavior and management has a bad impact on your organization, what not to do and how you could make a difference?

Having worked for a good boss and leader is invaluable for your career, as you understand the importance of integrity, respect and moral values and principles. What is the take-away from having worked for a bad boss?

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You can argue that you learn from both, the good and the bad boss, but at the end of the day you are just finding excuses to keep yourself motivated if you’re working for a bad boss.

In the War for Talent Study (2000), McKinsey found that 58% of the 6,500 managers surveyed reported that at some point in their career they had worked for a below par boss. Here are some of the effects:

How does working for a below par manager affect you?

78%     Prevented me from making a larger contribution to the bottom line

81%     Prevented me from learning

82%     Hurt my career development

86%     Made me want to leave the company

Rajeev Peshwaria discusses in his article There is No Such Thing as Bad Leadership the meaning of leadership, and the difference of being a leader or just in a position of authority. What do you think? Is there bad leadership, and is there any value for your career in having worked for a bad leader or boss?