When it comes to different management styles, some of us thrive on clearly defined boundaries and a stricter approach. Others will appreciate a boss who is flexible and takes account of our personal circumstances. One thing we can all agree on is that no one likes a toxic boss. 

But what happens when your senior’s management style fluctuates from day to day, leaving you unsure of what mood they’re going to bring to the office on any given day? Dubbed a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ boss (named after the main character in Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 book, The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde), new research reveals that dealing with an authority figure whose behaviour varies wildly can leave us feeling insecure and unhappy and, it can be more damaging than a toxic boss who is consistently awful. 

So, what are the tell-tale signs of a Jekyll and Hyde boss, and how are we supposed to deal with one? 

“This type of boss is someone who flits between a fight or flight mode,” says Nina Stephenson-Camps, a mindset coach and founder of Thrive. “They have unnecessary reactions to situations and create a culture and atmosphere of fear and anxiety among their team and peers – you never really know which version of them is going to show up.”

But what causes someone to behave in these ways? “There are all sorts of reasons for these types of personality inconsistencies,” says counsellor Georgina Sturmer. “It indicates a lack of security, or a need (whether it’s conscious or unconscious) to mask certain behaviours in certain situations.  There may be individuals or situations that trigger different elements of their personality to come to the fore, and typically, the person will lack emotional intelligence.”

According to the research undertaken by Stevens School of Business and published in the Journal Of Applied Psychology, employees have a stronger negative impact when a supervisor alternates unpredictably between abusive and ethical leadership styles than when a boss is consistently toxic.

They drain us emotionally 

It’s the unpredictability that triggers our stress response. “We already know that abusive leadership takes a serious toll on workers – but now we’re seeing that leaders who swing back and forth between abusive and ethical leadership do even more damage to employees,” says Dr Haoying Xu, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of management in the Stevens School of Business. “If you’re constantly guessing which boss will turn up – the good cop or the bad cop – then you wind up emotionally exhausted, demoralised and unable to work to your full potential.” 

We can start to doubt our abilities 

Having to constantly tiptoe around your boss’s moods can trigger feelings of uncertainty about your capabilities, which can manifest in self-doubt and a lack of confidence – both of which are damaging to your own self-esteem and wider team morale. 

“When our leaders are inconsistent, we can feel destabilised,” notes Sturmer. “If we never quite know how we will be received, then it might make us feel anxious about our performance or our behaviour at work.”

Jenny Holden, director of Chorus Comms, worked with a Jekyll and Hyde boss for years. “They can be your greatest ally and your worst enemy,” she tells Stylist. “When they’ve got it in for you it can dent your confidence, often leaving you questioning your professional abilities.”

It can affect the whole workplace

Additionally, workplaces tend to only take action when someone’s behaviour is consistently poor, meaning that often, these patterns of behaviour and abuse can continue for years. And the effects aren’t limited to the employee being targeted; there are ramifications for the whole team.

“In today’s workplaces, employees are very attuned to their supervisors’ relationships with more senior leaders,” Dr Xu says in the research. “If that relationship becomes unpredictable or is marked by repeated bouts of good and bad behaviour, it can cause real problems for the whole team.”

Kevin Fitzgerald, UK MD of Employment Hero, stresses that the impact of this type of leadership can be devastating for a company. “A good boss nurtures the skills to shield their employees from unfair criticism, while a Jekyll and Hyde boss may quickly pass down criticism from their superiors without consideration. This inconsistent behaviour destroys trust, kills motivation and often leads to good employees quitting.”

If you’re struggling with an unpredictable manager, there are steps you can take to mitigate the effects. 

1. Keep a paper trail

“If you’re dealing with an unpredictable boss, document everything and maintain clear email and chat trails,” says Fitzgerald. Holden agrees, saying: “First things first: if you’ve been briefed by your boss, clarify everything that has been asked in writing to ensure no misunderstandings and then carry out that task to the best of your ability.” If you know you’ve done this, it’s clear that the problem is with them and their style of management.”

2. Set boundaries 

“Set boundaries around communication hours and workload,” says Fitzgerald. “Build a support network of colleagues who understand what you’re experiencing. Most importantly, don’t internalise their behaviour – it’s about them, not you.”

3. Seek support

“If your boss is unpredictable, it’s tempting to blame yourself or worry that it’s your fault, especially if you struggle with self-esteem,” notes Sturmer. “If we seek support from others, as long as it stays professional, then this helps us to feel less alone.”

4. Cut your losses

If all else fails - you might need to look for new opportunities or, at the very least, consider speaking to your HR team. 

“You can try to ‘read’ your boss, to predict their mood and body language on a day-by-day basis, but getting out is probably going to be the best tonic,” shares Holden. 

Images: Getty