Home Library Translate
A A A
Share »
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on LinkedIn
Connect »

Blog: Career Management

Menu

  • This Blog's Home
  • Guest Writer Submissions
  • Policies
  • To Subscribe to a Blog
  • About
  • Feedback

My Boss is a Control Freak

By Marcia Zidle on October 18, 2011

is your boss a control freakDo you have a boss that demands frequent and unnecessary reports or hovers over you to make sure you’re doing things “right” or requires you to wait for his approval on everything before you can move forward?

Four out of five people, managers and workers alike, stated in a recent survey that have had mciro-manger bosses. Here’s are seven tips on how you can survive and even get along with a ‘control freak” boss according to “My Way or the Highway” by Harry E. Chambers.

  1. Work his agenda.
    Determine what’s really important to him and the department. Ask if you don’t know. Then work with him, not against him. to accomplish the specific goals
  2. Don’t wait to be asked for information.
    Find out what he needs to feel confident and comfortable. Then get it to him—ahead of time with a smile.
  3. Give frequent updates.
    If the micro-manager doesn’t visibly see progress, they think work is not getting done. Don’t assume but rather ask how often and in what form he wants progress reports on priority projects.
  4. Regularly review expectations.
    Micro-managers often change their focus and their priorities. Clarify your conversation agreements in a trail of memos and e-mails.
  5. Take the lead on deadlines.
    Be the first to talk—offering a timeline for when you can do a task (not when you can’t). Reassure him by showing how you will get the tasks done on that timeline.
  6. Play by the rules.
    Some micro-managers enjoy catching people in the act. Avoid being an easy target by not following policies and procedures. Just go with it unless it’s illegal or unethical.
  7. Choose your battles.
    The micro-manager will go to war on every issue. Don’t try to match him. Instead, choose the battles that are most important to you.

Career Success Tip:

If you see that your micro-manager boss backs off with some people more than others, then learn from the “best practices” of others. To some this might be considered  groveling; to others, it’s knowing how to get along with your boss. Also see Do You Have Boss Problems?

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

  • For more resources, see the Library topic Career Management.
  • Start with the  Career Success System.
  • Sign up for Career Power: 101 success tips.
  • Fast track your career. Be part of a Success Team.
  • Need a speaker? Get the Edge Keynotes-webinars-workshops.
  • Find career and leadership boosters in the Smart Moves Blog.
  • Copyright © 2011 Marcia Zidle career and leadership coach.
« Previous Next »

Search Our Site

Meet This Blog’s Host

Marcia Zidle, a certified career strategist and business coach, works with high potential, high impact executives, managers and professionals to advance their careers and grow their leadership capabilities.
[Read more ...]

Recent Blog Posts

  • Watch Out For These Bad Habits: They Can Stop Your Career
  • Getting the Recognition You Deserve
  • Your Career Goals: Are You On Track or Side-Tracked?
  • Communication: Make Small Talk Big Talk
  • New Job and New Boss: Get Off On The Right Foot
  • What Are Your Career Goals For 2013?
  • What’s Important to an Employer?
  • Career Advice For Young Professionals and Leaders
  • The First Six Months On the Job: What You Need to Do!
  • Asking For Help Can Help Your Career

Categories of Posts

  • Basics and Overviews
  • Career Advancement
  • Career Planning
  • Career Resilience
  • Career Transition
  • Change Management
  • General Resources
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Job Search
  • Leading Others
  • Professional Development
  • Success Tips
  • Uncategorized

Related Library Links

  • Changing Your Behavior
  • Personal Development
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Management Development

Library's Blogs

  • Boards of Directors
  • Building a Business
  • Business Communications
  • Business Ethics, Culture and Performance
  • Business Planning
  • Career Management
  • Coaching and Action Learning
  • Consulting and Organizational Development
  • Crisis Management
  • Customer Service
  • Facilitation
  • Free Management Library Blogs
  • Fundraising for Nonprofits
  • Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Marketing and Social Media
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building
  • Project Management
  • Quality Management
  • Social Enterprise
  • Spirituality
  • Strategic Planning
  • Supervision
  • Team Building and Performance
  • Training and Development
About Feedback Legal Privacy Policy Contact Us
Free Management Library, © Copyright Authenticity Consulting, LLC ®; All rights reserved.
  • Graphics by Wylde Hare LLC
  • Website maintained by Caitlin Cahill

By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.X