Mita Mallick: Learning from a bad boss

What happens when your boss is the problem?

A good boss can inspire you and be a catalyst for your career, whilst bad bosses limit your potential, putting the brakes on your trajectory. In this conversation with Mita Mallick, author of The Devil Emails at Midnight, we explore the behaviours that make bosses bad, and the lessons we can take to become better leaders.

Mita shares raw, funny and moving stories from her career, showing how toxic dynamics shape us, and how inclusion and vulnerability can transform workplaces.

We discuss why kindness is still seen as weakness, the warning signs that you might be slipping into bad boss territory, and how to handle life’s toughest moments, such as grief, while still leading with integrity. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re bringing out the best in your people, or if you’re stuck with a boss who doesn’t, this episode will give you the tools and courage to flip the script.

You’ll hear about:

• Personal stories of bad bosses
• Why kindness is seen as weakness
• Warning signs you’re a bad boss
• Nature versus nurture in leadership
• How grief affects leadership behaviour
• The myth of bossless organisations
• Coaching instead of micromanaging
• Options when stuck with a bad boss

More about Mita

Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She’s on a mission to fix what’s broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change maker with a track record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive.

Mallick is a highly sought-after speaker who has advised Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar List. She’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Adweek, and Entrepreneur. Mallick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, Axios, Essence, Cosmopolitan and Business Insider.

• Mita’s profile
• Mita’s services
• Her book