The Art of War with the BOSS

So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will fight without danger in battles.
If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.
If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.

Many of real life battles have drawn inspiration from Sun Tzu’s classic “The Art of War”. From the battleground to life’s struggles, Sun Tzu’ teachings have given military strategists, management experts and life coaches the proper knowledge and skills in battling the enemy. Sun Tzu was the first to recognize the importance of positioning in strategy and that position is affected both by objective conditions in the physical environment and the subjective opinions of competitive actors in that environment. He taught that strategy was not planning in the sense of working through a to-do list, but requires quick and appropriate responses to changing conditions. He added that planning works in a controlled environment, but in a competitive environment, competing plans collide, creating unexpected situations.

The art of war is governed by five constant factors to guide the warrior-strategist. These are:

The MORAL LAW causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.

By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

So very true even in the work environment. In our professional lives, we would need to apply all these rules to get ahead and succeed in our goal to create a successful organization. The ruler is one key element to the strategy as espoused by Sun Tzu. But what if the enemy is the boss? And you have suddenly found yourself in the precarious spot of having to fight with your boss?

Then, you have been dealt with a handicap by Sun Tzu’s strategy because suddenly the enemy is closer to home. It is a lonely place and you would usually be alone. Your ruler ceased to be your comrade and may actually cause you your life , your job. You might have to strategize on your own. What do you do?

Having had first-hand experience, I believe I earned some authority and gained some respect on the subject of dealing with a difficult boss and fighting him/her if it becomes necessary.

I would go by Sun Tzu’s philosophy on knowing thyself. Ask yourself the following questions while contemplating on fighting with the boss:

1. How important is your job to you in terms of your survival and that of your family?
2. How marketable are your skills in the event that you lose your job?
3. How much resources are you willing to stake if the fight would escalate?
4. Do you have a back-up plan in case you misfire?
5. Are you capable of defending yourself?
6. Do you have a network that could prove useful later?
7. Do you have access to the higher-ups?
8. Do you have the strength of character to fight a difficult battle?
9. Do you have skeletons in the closet that can prove detrimental?
10. Do you have a support system once the battle starts?
11. Can your family withstand the pressure and pain that can be brought by your battle?
12. Are you willing and ready to fight with your boss?

The answers to these difficult questions can empower you in your battle. Once, you are sure about yourself, people who will be affected should be informed about your decision. If you cannot gain their support, you are defeated even before you started the fight. For some, conflicts might arise at this stage particularly if the means of living is affected. It is important that prior preparations are made to explore employment possibilities elsewhere. To the extent that options are open to you, support systems are enhanced and your action may even be acceptable. It is pointless to fight a battle if you are half-hearted about it. It becomes a losing proposition if your loved ones are not with you in this battle.

When all things about yourself have been sorted out and you still are willing to take the hard choice of fighting with your boss, you need to assess the strengths and capabilities of your enemy.

1. What kind of a person is your boss?
2. Is your boss a fair fighter?
3. Does your boss possess the power to eliminate you?
4. How close is your boss to the power that be?
5. How important is your boss to the organization?
6. What is your boss reputation in the organization?
7. Who belongs in your boss’s network?
8. Does your boss have the resources in case the fight escalates?
9. Does your boss have spies in the office?
10. Where does your boss source his/her information?
11. Does your boss resort to dirty tactics when fighting?
12. Does your boss cheat or lie?
13. Does your boss have something on her sleeves on you?

The answers to these questions will be important inputs in the strategy you will formulate. The person in your boss should be the basis in crafting your strategy. It will be ideal to fight a fair boss but it is rare that you will fight such a boss. Once you made your boss an enemy, judgment is clouded and you become a live target. Bosses with poor reputation may be easier to tackle but will not necessarily back out of a battle. On the contrary, these bosses will employ means, both fair and foul, to get back at you. She/He will bait you into doing things that may jeopardize your battle. The difficulty of your battle would also hinge on your boss’s clout and connections in your office.

After carefully assessing your options and you decide to take a stand, be ready for the real fight.

1. Prepare well and arm yourself

Be ready to document the issues that you want to raise against your boss. Research is necessary. Stick to the most important issue. The side issues would weaken your case. If you have to fight for the other issues, do this one at a time. Get help from the experts if necessary.

2. Go through the proper channels

Determine the appropriate channels to air your grievance against your boss. Start discussing the problem with the cause of the problem, your boss. If this proves to be a futile exercise, formalize your complaint through a memo or letter and request for desired action from your boss. Always be open to a workable solution as you do this. The boss may either initiate favorable action or take you on. In the case of the latter, you suddenly will find yourself living hell in your office.

The arena will have to be moved outside your organization. If things get out of hand, be ready to elevate your concerns to your boss’s immediate superior. Depending on the action taken, elevating your complaint to the next higher position should be pursued to ensure that all administrative remedies were explored. If you remain dissatisfied with how your complaint was handled by your top management, a legal battle may be an option. A labor lawyer can help you prepare appropriate charges. The labor department or appropriate government body may also be requested to intervene.

3. Generate support for your cause

In the course of your battle, try to gain support among people in the organization with the same values and maybe hatred for your boss. They may be valuable sources of information that can prove incriminating for your boss (use of spies).

Try to win people from the top. Find a way to personally discuss your problem with a member of the top management. Ensure that the person will understand the situation. Winning the support of such a person can greatly improve the chances of success. However, be very cautious in doing this bearing in mind that top management protects their own kind. There is always the possibility that a member of top management does not like your boss. Once you know this, immediately take advantage of the opportunity.

Unions or employees associations may also help you in your fight. Let them in on your battle.

4. Control your emotions but do not repress

Fight fairly even if your boss is not a fair fighter. Do not try to get even. No name-calling. People are always sympathetic to the underdog. If the boss is harassing you, let him/her do it. This can actually be used to your advantage.

Stand by the truth no matter how difficult it may seem. Truth always prevails.

5. Be ready to face the consequences

Be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. There is a great chance that you would lose. As mentioned, It is always wise for the top management to protect their own rather than rock the boat. Give it your best shot, hope for the best but expect the worst. Even if faced with the prospect of continuing to work for the boss under this unfortunate event, continue to do the right thing. Believe in the law of karma. You wouldn’t know when the time will come for good to triumph. That is the time to reap your just reward.


It will be a difficult and long battle but believe me you will come out of it a wiser and better person. It is not easy to repress deep-seated emotions that could eat you up and cause anxiety and health-related problems later on. It is better to be true to yourself and fight for what you believe in.

There you have it…… A practical guide to would-be boss fighters from a battle-scarred employee who learned to fight a boss in my own terms. If this helps you, I would be happy to know that somebody chose to take a stand. Add to my list your own unique ways in dealing with your difficult boss.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9