Your Boss's Approval Is Not Oxyge...
Your Boss's Approval Is Not Oxygen: Do Good Work Without It
Bad Boss Survival Guide by Michael Kuhlman
S1 · E19
Aug 4, 2026
11:34
Episode notes

If you're working harder, performing better, and going above and beyond—all while waiting for the moment your toxic boss finally recognizes you—this episode is your wake-up call. That moment may never come, and waiting for it is draining you.

In this episode, you'll learn why you crave your boss's approval and how to stop, where to find validation from sources that actually matter, and how to do excellent work for your own standards rather than someone else's mood. We break down the signs of approval addiction—constantly checking email for praise, overworking to earn recognition, feeling devastated by criticism, basing your self-worth on your boss's temperament—and explain why some bosses withhold approval entirely, whether from control, insecurity, narcissism, or simple incompetence.

You'll walk away with a practical framework for do ... 

Keywords
career
bad boss
work
leadership
energy management
burnout
toxic
toxic boss
stress
mindfulness