The trick with a bad boss is to learn how to manage up, wresting back control of your career by creating a more positive work climate, according to Yahoo. "The key is to understand the motivation behind your boss's behavior -- good, bad or indifferent. Once you understand that, you'll have clues as to how to deal with him," says Vivian Scott, author of "Conflict Resolution at Work for Dummies." Here are five of the most common boss types you'll encounter -- and a few tricks for managing them.
The Micromanager: It can be infuriating to have someone watching your every move. For your own sanity, never forget what motivates micromanagers: "They're concerned about their own reputation and really care about the final product," says Scott.
The best way to manage micromanagers is to get out from under them occasionally: Navigate your way onto cross-functional teams, for instance, so you're dealing with other leaders. Since that's not always possible, Scott also suggests offering your expertise in an area in which your boss is weak, because he won't feel like he knows more than you and, if you're lucky, he'll come to see your expertise as a benefit to him. "Realize you won't get him to stop being a micromanager, but try to redirect his attention," says Scott.
The Bully: A bullying boss won't steal your lunch, but may steal any vestige of joy you get out of your job -- which, in turn, will make it hard for you to perform well enough to get a better offer. One PR specialist from Salt Lake City -- we'll call her Gina -- says a former boss made feedback personal.
The first step to beating a bully is doing good work that you can stand behind, and then standing your ground. "The bullying boss is very focused on results and wants things done now," says behavioral analyst Gayle Abbott, CEO of Strategic Alignment Partners in Virginia, who has worked with companies ranging from law firms to Lockheed Martin. "Identify what they want, what they value, and take action. These [types of] people also want you to come to them confident and tell them the truth -- even if they don't like it. Don't give made-up answers or platitudes…."
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/112803/how-to-handle-bad-bosses-moneywatch?mod=career-leadership
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