A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses: Dealing with Bullies, Idiots, Back-Stabbers, and Other Managers from Hell

Chapter 18. Controlling the Control Freak

At the opposite extreme from the disorganized, inefficient, or inept boss is the power-hungry control freak. When this boss is the company owner in a small company, the problem is doubly worse as there’s no one upstairs to appeal to. It’s just you and the control freak. With more and more companies today being small businesses and start-ups—over 50% of the economy —the potential for this problem is much greater. In the corporate, team-player environment, you are likely to find more controls on out-of-control behavior, as well as coworkers with whom to commiserate, but the small business run by a control freak can be a treacherous, lonely place. However, when you need the job and otherwise like the work, ...