Today I got into all kinds of trouble. The smell hasn’t reached me yet but I know I stepped in it.

Last week I was approached by someone who does not work for my boss. This person was concerned about someone who does work for my boss, and wanted to know if everyone who works for my boss is as miserable as said acquaintance. To which I could glibly answer “yes.”

The questioner was very concerned about the friend and said that a major change of personality had gradually taken place coinciding with the change in supervisors. I do not talk to this coworker regularly but what I have heard substantiates at least that this colleague is not happy. Like me and the other colleague I have talked to. The last one of the four of us is more cautious and timid and the type that will please at any cost, but I would feel comfortable saying this last wouldn’t own to any special appreciation for our boss.

Bad bosses can be a fact of life, and as far as bad bosses go I don’t rank mine as exceptionally bad. But we all used to report to my boss’ boss. And neither my inquiring friend nor I think that he would be comfortable knowing that we are all unhappy. But who can tell him that we are all unhappy? My friend was sworn to secrecy. But I have a feel for the mood of the team independent of this intelligence.

So here are some things to never do. Never speak on behalf of your coworkers. Never go to your boss’ boss without having first addressed your boss. Never bring up a subject because a friend of a friend said that something bad was happening which the friend won’t own up to. And now I have done all that.

I couldn’t think of a way to tell my boss that everyone is miserable and fed up with attempting to get through to him. But that’s a pathetic excuse and my boss’ boss will not buy it. He will tell me to go talk to my boss.