HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR BOSS

***SIX TYPES OF BOSSES AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM***

Having issues with your boss basically goes hand in hand with having a job. Sometimes, just making it through the day can be a challenge. If your boss makes your life miserable, here's some advice on how to deal with six types of bad bosses . . .

#1.) THE CORPORATE BULLY. If your boss is rude and drunk with power, the trick is to fly under his radar while getting noticed by the higher ups. Always stand up for yourself, but be subtle about it.

-- Try to develop a relationship with someone else at work who's in a position of power. They can expose you to new opportunities and shield you from your boss's tantrums.

#2.) THE MICROMANAGER. He thinks that if he wants something done right, he has to do it himself. And challenging his authority won't get you anywhere. Micromanagers are typically insecure, and they constantly need to know what's going on.

--So keep him informed, but DON'T give him minute-to-minute updates. The idea is to give him just enough information to make him THINK he's in complete control . . . while you stay reasonably independent.

#3.) THE OFFICE POLITICIAN. He doesn't keep his promises, and he steals your ideas. He acts like your best friend, but he'll stab you in the back if he needs to. So protect yourself by communicating over email as much as possible.

--That way, all your requests and ideas become official record, and he can't twist them to his advantage. If he tries to do everything face-to-face, follow up with an e-mail confirmation . . . and CC someone else at your company if it's appropriate.

#4.) THE SENIOR ENFORCER. He's in a position of power because he's been there longer . . . not because he's smarter or does a better job than you do. Since he's not extremely talented, he follows procedures and is terrified he'll make a mistake.

--Any groundbreaking ideas you have will probably get rejected. So save those ideas for a large meeting where HIS boss will hopefully be more responsive. Just don't go over your boss's head. If you do, he'll feel challenged and won't like that you broke protocol.

#5.) THE DRAMA QUEEN. He spends most days complaining and creating problems. He'll reject the most obvious solutions just to make things harder, and he'll take everything personally. But don't let yourself get sucked in by his negativity.

--If you do, you'll start dreading work even more. Stay positive and try to ignore your boss's tantrums. If you don't give him the attention he craves, hopefully he'll start complaining to someone else.

#6.) THE SILENT STRATEGIST. You get frustrated because you can't tell where you stand with him. He rarely gives feedback, and he only involves key people when making big decisions. But since you don't KNOW what he's thinking, don't get paranoid.

--Silent strategists usually don't realize they're doing anything wrong, so it's okay to voice your concerns and share your ideas. Who knows? . . . You might make your way into his inner circle and start making some real improvements. (AskMen.com)