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Why are Indian Managers so Toxic?
r/careerguidance•2 days ago
Why are Indian Managers so Toxic?
I am from the media industry with 13 + years of experience and was recruited little over a year ago as a Content Writer in an IT firm. Now, the positives, I have completed a year. I am ex TOI, Network 18, and have even written for the Big 4.
In the current scenario, my Indian manager has been akin to a brain aneurysm. He is seated besides me and is constantly breathing down my neck. The moment I come to office, there is a visible shift in his body language, he bends forward and avoids eye contact.
When it comes to work, he is cagey to deal with. His instructions are vague and ambiguous. There is a complete lack of decorum when it comes to me. He doesn't acknowledge communication about work that has been sent. I have to send in multiple follow ups.
For example, six months ago, I had sent in a content strategy to him. I even held a meeting with my American Manager who approved and vetted the presentation. During the presentation and even in my subsequent communication, I mentioned explicitly that I am not well versed with Excel.
I sent in multiple messages and communication to my manager, reminding him that I sought feedback about the presentation. Instead there was radio silence for nearly a month. After a month, he calls a meeting and tells me what I was doing for a month? Which struck me as beyond absurd. He cuts me off before I can even respond and then the intern chimes in ,"this is messy." They are critiquing the formatting of the excel sheet instead of the ideas themselves
In subsequent meetings, what I have noticed is:
Passive aggressive behaviour towards me - cutting me off mid sentence.
Dismissing ideas outright. Ironically, he considered the same idea a month later from an intern and made it the hero content.
Being overtly critical when it comes to work - hey, this is not how I wanted the blog written. I want the blog to flow in XYZ (even though the same ideas are already present with synonyms). The criticism does not have a logical segue. It's a one way communication that's entirely draconian in its nature.
Even when it comes to decorum, he lacks the basic professional courtesy when it comes to me. He doesn't acknowledge work related communication. And this is only with me and not others. He is rather courteous to the extremely subservient and overtly verbose new content writer - he too has highlighted that he has trouble with excel.
I am just exhausted, mentally harangued because of him making personal attacks - initially it was inquiries into my caste (I am an atheist of mixed descent and don't believe in it). Right now, he tells me that I have an "attitude problem" and I have a problem with everyone. That I should take this up with the American Manager. I don't see the point. It's a rigged system.
I have been gathering evidence. I have been keeping everything on emails and ensuring that there is a digital trail of conversations that happen.
To offer better context: I am half Indian. I don't look Indian but have had my share of Indian managers and they have been terrible. Some managers have been really good but this is the exception and not the rule.
