Like most people, I’ve had my share of bosses. Some were excellent teachers and made work an enjoyable experience. Others, let’s just say, could use a little polishing on their people skills. None of that compares to working for a boss on the autism spectrum. Again, from personal experience, having an immediate supervisor with Asperger’s can be both exciting and excruciating. First, some, but not all, supervisors on the spectrum are traveling resources for workers eager to learn the finer details of their chosen occupation. For example, for those who are willing to put in the extra time to increase knowledge and improve skill levels, there can be no better person to learn from. They can be perfectionists, and they may not understand why everyone in the company doesn’t work obsessively long hours, just like they do. Also, be prepared to witness emotional outbursts that range from the depths of despair to the heights of euphoria. If you can agree to work for a demanding and sometimes insensitive supervisor, there are real benefits that can enhance your career path.
Employees sometimes want and need a boss who will push them, hard, in their quest to be the best in their field. Certainly not all employees feel this way, yet a percentage of workers thrive under these conditions. If that’s the case, having an Asperger’s boss may be the right option to take you all the way to the top. Staying the course with this type of mentor will force you not only to learn the job from him, but also to master every aspect of it. Furthermore, the development of so-called “soft skills”, which are on the decline according to many professional experts, is always a good investment for future professional goals and personal development. Having the ability to work with different personality types under conditions that can be stressful is a much-needed skill in today’s marketplace. Additionally, having the ability to work with other employees on the spectrum will bode well for potential future supervisory opportunities as more young adults enter the job market. Perhaps the most important thing to come out of working for a boss with Asperger syndrome is the personal growth and development that invariably results from daily interactions.
Experiences like this have a way of changing a person; Why not make a change for the better? Develop leadership skills that help define the culture as a place of nurturing and learning. Seek to mitigate tyrannical behavior by providing alternative methods to achieve personal and group goals. Finally, look for opportunities to be a reassuring voice of reason, as this type of work environment is often riddled with dysfunction and underlying hostility. Contrary to popular belief, people with autism can and do exhibit emotions, sensibilities, and yes, even humor. Granted, humor can be wacky, weird, eccentric, and different, but humor nonetheless. Take advantage of the lighter moments, as the decision to continue working in these conditions or to leave must inevitably be addressed. Obviously, some employees leave for better opportunities, but others stay for a variety of reasons. For those who decide to stay in a work environment like this, make sure you have answered the following questions: Does the company provide a path to achieve my personal career goals and long-term goals? Are my skills fully utilized and appreciated? Is it worth enduring the emotional roller coaster to secure a stable salary? Enjoy the ride and take nothing for granted.