Page 36 - Talane Miedaner - Coach Yourself to a New Career_ 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life (2010)

24 COACH YOURSELF TO A NEW CAREER

4.

5.

Good. Now let’s see if we can find some cures for these fairly com-
mon problems. If your boss micromanages you, then you need
to set up some boundaries. Let your boss know that you do your
best work if you are given free rein. Ask how much feedback your
boss wants (most micromanaging bosses have the need to be in
control). Make sure you meet his or her need. Even better, go over-
board. One client had a new and highly controlling manager. She
resented the fact that her boss wanted her to compile a weekly
report outlining all the activities for the week in a summary. She
felt it was a waste of time, so she often delayed doing it until she
was asked where the report was. This behavior wasn’t endearing
her to the boss, who then trusted her even less. The employee took
charge of the situation and did a complete 180-degree turnaround.
She started writing lengthy reports full of details and turning
them in on time each week and then calling her manager so that
they could pore over the contents together. After a few weeks of
this, the manager started to relax and told her she had to do the
report only once a month and it needed to be only one page long.
Victory!
This example demonstrates that if you satisfy your boss’s per-
sonal requirements, however idiosyncratic they may be, then
you’ll find they disappear or diminish. The boss who feels in con-
trol will come across as less controlling. On the other hand, if that
requirement isn’t being met, then your boss will try all the harder
to control you. If you rebel and deprive your superiors of what
they need, you’ll only exacerbate the situation and make your own
work life miserable. So, not only will knowing what your own per-
sonal requirements are benefit your career, but also it really helps
to know what your boss needs if you want to get that plum job
or promotion. Read the next chapter to pinpoint what your per-
sonal requirements are and how to satisfy them in a professional
manner. If you know what your own personal and emotional