How to Manage a Boss Who Plays Favorites

The Difficult Boss Podcast with Fexingo: Managing Up, Toxic Managers, and Workplace Survival · Jul 21, 2026 · 7m · transcript

Episode 126 of The Difficult Boss Podcast tackles the tricky dynamic of managing a boss who plays favorites. Lucas and Luna dive into a real-world example: a marketing team at a mid-sized consumer goods company where one employee gets all the plum assignments and flexible hours while others hit a glass ceiling. They discuss why favoritism often stems from the boss's own insecurity or need for loyalty, not merit. You'll hear concrete strategies for the non-favored: gathering objective performance data, building alliances outside your direct team, and making your boss's success…