1. What other strategies might you employee with dealing with Margret or your own moody boss? Are there any actions or behaviors you should avoid?

2. What can Ted and Seeru do to help themselves not catch their boss's negative emotions and moods, and cope with the emotional stress and turmoil working for Margret causes?

3. Why do you think working for Margret is so emotionally stressful?

4. Think about the legal and ethical ramifications of the behavior of bosses like Margret. Organizations in the United States have the legal obligation to provide safe workplaces, including ones that are safe from harassment. What would you do if you were Margret’s boss or another leader in the organization, and why do you think she was even hired for this position?

Ted is a forensic accountant at a law firm and has worked there for 10 years. Recently, his boss for 8 years suffered a heart attack, and Ted has been reassigned to Margret as his new boss. Ted finds his new boss to be difficult to work with because of her displays of negative moods and emotions in the workplace. Moreover, Margret seems to let her emotions guide her decision-making and choices. Her emotionally charged behaviors are very disruptive to Ted and others at work. Ted also cannot get information he needs from her when she is in a rage or fit of despair, as he does not dare go near her. He has, however, tried several strategies to deal with his boss and her volatile moods such as (1) avoidance, (2) gray rocking, (3) gifting and complimenting, and (4) over delivering. The questions get students thinking about strategies and approaches to manage a boss who might be disruptively moody and emotional.