How to Manage a Boss Who Uses Silence as a Weapon

The Difficult Boss Podcast with Fexingo: Managing Up, Toxic Managers, and Workplace Survival · Jun 29, 2026 · 8m · transcript

Ever had a boss who simply stops talking to you? No feedback, no direction, just cold silence that leaves you guessing and anxious. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 'silent treatment' as a management tactic — what it is, why some bosses use it, and most importantly, how to break the silence without losing your composure. They anchor the conversation in a real case from a mid-size tech firm where an engineering director went radio silent on a senior developer for three weeks after a disagreement. You'll learn the psychology behind the behavior, the difference between…