MadMen on Management: What to do when your boss feels threatened by you

Do you watch MadMen?

I’m obsessed … especially by the portrayal of office politics at the fictional ad agency of Sterling Cooper Draper Price. Have you noticed that much has changed since 1966, yet so much remains the same?

Case and point: Managers feel threatened by their direct reports.

Last Sunday Night’s “Dark Shadows” episode explored the relationship between Creative Director Don Drapper and his recent hire, the talented copywriter Michael Ginsberg.

Don, frustrated with his recent creative dry spell, visits the office during the weekend, determined to churn out some winning concepts for an upcoming pitch. Before long, he hits a wall. Totally blocked, he sneaks into Ginsberg’s files to look for some creative inspiration. Don is impressed with Ginsberg’s rough sketches (and obviously feels insecure with his own lack of creativity). Don returns to his office for another round of brainstorming and cranks out a headline that he believes is a winner.

On Monday, Don gets his team together to share ideas. The group likes Don’s concept but they clearly love Ginsberg’s; it’s just funnier and totally “on target”.  Don defends his so-so work and his insincere subordinates kiss up to him by telling him that his work is clever. (Ginsberg even comments, “Wow! That’s actually good. Damn impressive … you could not write for so long….”)

A few days later, Don travels by taxi to pitch his presentation, intentionally leaving Ginsberg’s concept and art in the back seat of the cab. The only concept he presents to the client is his own. Charming and smooth, Don nails the pitch and we are not surprised to learn that he sells his concept to the client without ever discussing Ginsberg’s, which was certainly the better of the two.

Back at the office, an awkward confrontation ensues! Young, naïve Ginsberg learns about Don’s actions and tells him off. Don basically puts Ginsberg in his place, refusing to engage him in an argument, suggesting that he is irrelevant. As talented and smart as Ginsberg is, he has made a career-killing move, challenging Don, who has a short temper and a vindictive streak.

Today, many similar scenarios are played out in the 21^st century corporate world. Executives feel so threatened by up and coming talent that they manipulate situations to secure their status. And when overachieving subordinates speak up out of frustration–no matter how valuable or talented–they become persona non grata.

What could Ginsberg have done differently? Rather than lashing out at Don in frustration, he should have:

1) asked Don (in a naïve way) what he might have done differently or better? Asking for advice would have made Ginsberg appear less threatening to Don.

2) acted less possessive of his concept or tried to find a way to share the credit with his insecure boss for the greater good of the department/company.

3) had a heart to heart with Don, asking him what role he wanted him to play in the process.

Obviously, no one should ever feel restrained and stifled at a job. Some would say, “just move on!”  However, if an overachiever like Ginsberg wants to keep his job, it might be better to lay low and look for something else within the firm – hopefully under a more secure leader.

Have you ever had a job where your skills or productivity made your boss look bad? How did you handle it? What advice would you give others who find themselves in this situation?