What’s the most important thing at work? Salary? No. The most important thing at work is getting along with your boss. After all, your happiness during those 40 hours each week largely depends on them. AdmiGram.com has identified the main types of bosses and come up with ways to work with them.
The most important rule to remember is that you can’t change your boss. It’s more likely that you’ll quit your job before they change. So, your task is to learn how to react correctly to their behavior, so that it doesn’t hinder your work or perhaps even your career progression.
8 types of bosses and how to get along with them
The General
Characteristics: Confident, charismatic, loves innovation, full of energy, and can inspire everyone. Ready to take risks, and their subordinates are like soldiers for their victories. You’ll have to be held accountable for mistakes in front of them, including enduring their anger and aggression.
How to work with them: Either follow their orders unquestioningly or present yourself as an experienced soldier, appealing to their attention to your expertise and professional knowledge.
The Rock Star
Characteristics: Incredibly charismatic, can easily inspire anyone and make them believe even in the most far-fetched ideas. Loves dreaming about plans for the future and telling everyone how everything will be new and great soon. Highly ambitious but can’t follow through on anything.
How to work with them: People of this type tend to have an inflated sense of self-worth, so it’s a good idea to praise and glorify your boss. If they ask for something, do it swiftly.
The Perfectionist
Characteristics: Loves order and precision in everything. Every minute of their day is planned. They consider themselves the smartest and most competent. They believe only they know the right way. To reinforce this, they constantly read smart books, attend seminars, and hang diplomas on the wall.
How to work with them: Embrace their discipline and live within their rules. Remember that you will never be their equal.
The Conservator
Characteristics: Believes that if something worked before them, it should stay that way. Dislikes change, especially major changes. They might do anything at work, but actual work. If problems arise, they will blame the entire department, but not themselves.
How to work with them: Don’t stand out. If problems arise, and you can solve them, your conservator boss will always remember your kind help.
The Emperor
Characteristics: They definitely graduated from Harvard, Yale, or something equally prestigious. They always take on something new, beyond the regular tasks, and almost impossible to achieve. Their existence is all about conquering the world or building a small empire with their own subjects in the office.
How to work with them: Always give more than what’s required. Remember that at any moment, you could be penalized or even fired for any wrongdoing.
The Weather Vane
Characteristics: Their mood, demands, and attitude towards you can change nearly every day. Today they might be pleased with your work, but tomorrow, even if you’ve done it better than yesterday, your boss might be extremely dissatisfied. The winds of change in their mind can blow in any direction.
How to work with them: To protect yourself from ‘Why did you do that?’ or ‘I never said that!’ it’s better to ensure that everything they assign to you goes through written communication rather than verbal.
The Sycophant
Characteristics: They became a boss simply because of their connections. They can be horribly incompetent, illogical, and foolish. They will never tell you to your face that you’re not suitable, but they’ll quietly dismiss you, and you won’t even understand why.
How to work with them: If you objectively can’t do what is required of you, at least create the appearance that you’re trying your best. Let everyone know about your efforts!
The Dictator
Characteristics: Authoritarian, rude, and despotic. Often, their ignorance and foolishness far exceed their professionalism. They don’t bother to control their emotions. In their team, there are always favorites, informers, and regular employees. The latter suffer the most.
How to work with them: Honestly, it’s easier to quit. Seriously. If you have the strength to endure, then endure, endure, and endure some more under such a boss.
