This Meeting Could’ve Been an Email or a Netflix Special.
Across industries and dinner tables, the shared saga of horrible bosses is becoming a storytelling genre of its own.
A few nights ago, I caught up with some old friends. We’ve all gone down different paths—tech, healthcare, education, business. But one thing kept popping up in every story: Horrible bosses.
Not just the annoying ones. I mean the energy-draining, confidence-sucking, micro-managing, tone-deaf types that make you question your entire career trajectory. And what struck me was how universal it felt. Different jobs. Different industries. Same chaos.
And that got me thinking:
“Are horrible bosses so deeply woven into the modern work experience that they’re becoming their own genre?”
From Boardroom Nightmares to Mainstream and Social Media
You’ve probably seen the classic Hollywood version—Horrible Bosses (2011), and its equally chaotic sequel. Or South Korea’s satirical workplace drama My Horrible Boss. These shows turned leadership failures into something entertaining, even therapeutic.
But here’s where it gets really interesting:
It’s not just movies anymore. Horrible bosses have taken over social media.
Search for “toxic boss” or “corporate life” on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts—and you’ll see it:
Skits about unrealistic deadlines
Reels mimicking passive-aggressive emails
Office Zoom call parodies
People lip-syncing to actual things their managers have said (yes, really)
This content isn't just funny. It resonates because it’s true. Creators like Corporate Natalie and Rod Thill have built entire followings by dramatizing what it’s like to survive in the modern workplace.
It’s basically modern-day stand-up, but the punchline is: “Can you believe my boss said that?”
So we’re seeing this topic play out across:
Hollywood
Books
TikTok and Instagram
Is it a trend, or is it the beginning of something bigger?
Books Are Taking Note Too
Bookstores and Kindle shelves are now filled with survival guides, exposés, and cathartic reads about bad leadership:
The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton
A Survival Guide for Working With Bad Bosses by Gini Scott
Surrounded by Bad Bosses by Thomas Erikson
Five Energies of Horrible Bosses by Marcel Daane
They fall under business, psychology, and self-help—but they’re all saying the same thing:
“Your boss might actually be the problem. Here’s how to survive.”
We may not have an official genre called “horrible boss lit” (yet), but the pattern is impossible to ignore.
This isn’t just about annoying meetings and bad coffee.
Let’s Talk About the Mental Health Impact
Toxic bosses can take a real toll on your well-being. Here’s what the research says:
Burnout – Toxic leadership is strongly tied to emotional exhaustion and reduced engagement. (The Conversation)
Anxiety and Insomnia – Bullying bosses contribute to increased anxiety and disrupted sleep. (American Psychological Association)
Therapy Demand – One study showed that nearly a third of U.S. workers have gone to therapy just to deal with their bosses. (Business Insider)
The data backs up what we’ve all felt: a horrible boss can quietly—and profoundly—damage your confidence, peace, and even your identity.
So… Is This a Genre Yet?
In traditional publishing, genres are usually defined by structure and intent. Romance has a formula. Thrillers build suspense. Sci-fi explores other worlds.
“Horrible boss” books? They’re more thematic.
They show up in memoirs, satire, self-help, and even fiction. But we’re seeing more and more stories, studies, and content focused on the same antagonist: the dysfunctional boss.
Maybe we’re not there yet. But if you can go viral on TikTok for impersonating your boss’s fake concern, land a book deal, or get 2 million views on a skit about corporate gaslighting—it’s clear this isn’t just a phase.
It’s a movement.
