What’s the most important thing at work? Salary? Not quite. The most important thing 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 ways to work with them.
The golden rule to remember is that you cannot change your boss. You’re more likely to quit before they change. Your goal is to learn how to respond to their behavior so it doesn’t stall your work or career progression.
8 Types of Bosses and How to Get Along With Them
The General
Characteristics: Confident, charismatic, innovative, and highly energetic. They treat subordinates like soldiers in their campaign. You will be held strictly accountable for mistakes and must endure their bursts of anger.
How to manage them: Either follow orders unquestioningly or establish yourself as an expert, appealing to their respect for professional expertise.
The Rock Star
Characteristics: Highly charismatic, easily rallies people behind far-fetched ideas. Loves dreaming big but rarely follows through.
How to manage them: Flatter their ego and praise their vision. Execute their requests swiftly.
The Perfectionist
Characteristics: Obsessed with order and precision. They believe they are the smartest person in the room and display diplomas to prove it.
How to manage them: Adapt to their discipline, follow their rules, and accept that you will never be their equal.
The Traditionalist
Characteristics: Opposes any change. Avoids actual work but blames the entire department when things go wrong.
How to manage them: Keep a low profile. If you solve a problem quietly, this boss will appreciate your loyalty.
The Emperor
Characteristics: Likely an Ivy League grad. Constantly takes on impossible, grand tasks to build their own corporate empire.
How to manage them: Always overdeliver. Be aware that the stakes are high, and mistakes can lead to termination.
The Weather Vane
Characteristics: Moods and demands change daily. What was perfect yesterday might infuriate them today.
How to manage them: Cover yourself by keeping all communication in writing. Avoid verbal agreements.
The Nepo Baby
Characteristics: Incompetent and insecure. They won’t confront you directly but will quietly let you go.
How to manage them: If you can’t meet their illogical demands, at least make it look like you are trying your hardest.
The Dictator
Characteristics: Rude, authoritarian, and toxic. Plays favorites and relies on corporate informants.
How to manage them: Frankly, it’s better to quit. If you stay, brace yourself to endure constant pressure.
