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Types of Bosses The alarm clock goes off and it’s time to get your self up, ready and motivated to go to work and face that “Boss”. Unfortunately, like deadlines and overtime, bosses are one of those things you just can’t stay clear of in the workplace. Some of which we could not stand and others that we looked up to and respected, these bosses have made an impact on how we perform at our jobs. The way your boss treats you, can either be a motivator or one that is intimidating. But how do you identify these odd cults of personalities?
I will briefly describe the types of bosses and will leave you to examine for yourself of how you would describe your current boss. Or maybe this will describe you as a manager and how it actually affects your employees. The first example is the “Micro-Manager”. This type of boss is a control freak. They are strict in how they want things done. They are closed minded and do not accept, nor want to hear other people’s ideas or suggestions. They often require you to give an update on your progress on the task at hand. A perfect positive example of this autocratic leader is Donald Trump.
He is actually liked and respected by his employees. I don’t know if it’s out of intimidation or sincere nobility. Then there is the notorious Leona Helmsley who earned the title “Queen of Mean” due to her tyrannical demeanor demanding perfection from all of her employees. Her behavior landed her in prison for two years. The benefit of having an autocratic boss is their ability to be very clear and precise in their instructions. The downside is they tend to make an employee question their own abilities and make work tedious and time consuming than necessary.
In order to be a successful employee under their control, you need to not take it personal, focus on your task at hand, do not think you can change them and understand what their motives are. The second example is the “Hands-off” Boss. They pretty much don’t care what you do as long as the work gets done in a timely manner. If you like to be independent and like to think on your own without the assistance of your manager, then you have just found yourself the best position to be in. The only time you will interact with this kind of boss is when you have ompleted your assignment. Unfortunately, these bosses tend to not be direction driven, leaving you out of the loop of instruction and do not do well with giving constructive criticism. Best advice on handling these managers is to ask lots of questions in order to get clear directions. Get confirmation of what is expected for deadlines and what the consequences will be. And for your own sake, keep a meticulous ledger of your work performance so that you can provide your boss with everything needed for your yearly work evaluation.
The third example is that of the “Buddy” Boss aka “Softy”. This type of person is passive and does not like confrontation. They do not want to be the “bad guy” and tend to go to any Page 2 lengths to make sure you like them. Perfect example is that of the boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) in the T. V. show, “The Office”. The upside with this kind of manager is they value a positive and friendly working environment. However, the negative side is they do not set boundaries or clear expectations which can lead to poor work performance and goal setting.
And, unfortunately, they make it easier for the slackers to stick around. The best way to handle the passivity is to be non-threatening when wanting constructive criticism. Get a clear picture of what your boss wants at the onset of a project. Ask for suggestions on how to improve yourself in your job. And most importantly, praise your boss in front of others since they thrive on your acceptance and opinions about them. The fourth example is the “Paranoid” or “Threatened” Boss.
They are the type of individual that think you are out to take their position. These managers have some serious self image issues. They are insecure and paranoid. This may or may not be a mental challenge. They reward those who “kiss their ass” and reprimand those who may “out shine” their own efforts. In order to work with the “Threatened” type, it would benefit you to build your boss’s trust and confidence by “sucking” up to them, recognizing their accomplishments, abilities and experiences publicly.
Take advantage of opportunities to work with others outside of your boss’s circle of control by developing a network of co-workers who can give you the assistance and feedback in order for you to be successful. The fifth and final example is the “Overachiever” aka “Workaholic” Boss. These are the bosses that are very hard working and expect you to live up to the same work ethic. They tend to set very high standards in the work place. They basically do not know when to “call it a night”. Perfect example is the talk show host character, Ava (Maya Rudolph) in the TV show, “Up All Night”.
She expects her producer of the show and best friend, Reagan Brinkley (Christina Applegate) and assistant, Missy to drop everything for her to go seek new guests and new topics for her show even at the cost of family time. The pros of having this kind of boss are the challenges they give you and the motivation to succeed. The con is they have unrealistic expectations. Best way to deal with the “Workaholic” Boss is to be assertive and set boundaries of what is expected of you and if it’s unrealistic, tell them at that moment.
Ask for feedback and constructive criticism from your boss so that you can monitor your own progress and work performance. Communicate with your boss, letting them know when you work overtime or put in extra effort. It will go duly noted. Take the bull by the horns and let them know you accept extra projects or interested in increasing your skills by attending training seminars, etc. Page 3 In summary, knowing what type of boss you have and understanding the best way to deal with them can benefit you in the long run.
You will up your game in knowing what to expect when certain issues may arise with them, prevent problems, and keep you focused on your own work ethics, achievements and professional growth. Lets face it, we have to be around these people 40 or plus hours, 5 to 6 days a week. We might as well make the best out of our work environment with having the tools necessary to carry us through to learn from the experience. If for some reason, your attempts to create a positive relationship with the boss aren’t reciprocated, it may be time to update that resume and move on to greener pastures. Life’s too short to put up with a bad boss.