Control freaks are everywhere. They often take over our lives and dictate every aspect of our existence. And they don’t even realize it.

Control freaks are masters at controlling their environment. They are always looking out for ways to exert their authority and influence over others. This makes them very good bosses. But sometimes, they can become too much.

This article will help you deal with their behavior if you work with a control freak boss.

What is a control freak boss?

A control freak boss wants to be in charge of everything. They may want to make all the decisions about your life, career, health, relationships, etc. A control freak boss will try to micromanage your life.

This usually happens when a person has yet to learn how to set boundaries between their needs and those of others. In other words, if you have no limits regarding what you will do for yourself, you have no limits regarding what you will allow others to do for you.

Why do bosses become control freaks?

Control freaks are bossy people who insist on controlling every aspect of your life. They’re often difficult to work for because they demand too much attention and micromanage everything you do. But there’s no reason to think you’re a control freak just because you’re a boss. Many bosses exhibit these traits because of underlying factors; they don’t necessarily mean that you suck at your job or are a terrible manager.

Research suggests that some of us enjoy being in charge. Studies show that we tend to prefer authority over others, especially when our opinions matter. We also tend to thrive under pressure and crave feedback. So why do we sometimes act like control freaks? Here are five reasons why bosses become control freaks.

1. You’re afraid of losing status.
2. You’re insecure.
3. Your parents were control freaks.
4. You’re trying to prove something.
5. You’re addicted to power.

How to deal with a control freak boss?

Here are some things that you should keep in mind when dealing with a control freak boss:

1. Explain Your Working Style.

Explain your working style to your boss. Tell them about your preferences and limitations. If you need time alone to recharge your batteries, tell your boss, so they won’t interfere. You might ask for more flexibility from your boss. Or you’d rather have a day off once every two weeks instead of once a month. Whatever it is, explain it to your boss.

2. Determine the causes of their actions.

Sometimes, control freaks get into trouble because they lack empathy. They don’t understand how other people operate. For example, they assume that everyone else is doing exactly what they want them to do.

As a result, they need to learn how to communicate effectively with others. They don’t know how to listen to other people. And they don’t understand the difference between “I” statements (which reflect thoughts) and “you” statements (which reflect feelings).

So before you react to their behavior, find out what’s driving it. Is it because they’re angry, sad, hurt, jealous, anxious, or frustrated? Are they trying to help you? Do they care about you?

3. Acknowledge Their Working Style.

If you’re used to getting your way, you’ll probably struggle to accept that your boss isn’t going to do exactly what you want them to do. When this happens, you can either ignore it or take action.

For instance, if your boss constantly interrupts you while you’re talking, acknowledge that by saying something like, “It seems like I’m always interrupting you.” Then try to change the subject.

Or if your boss insists on giving you detailed instructions, say something like, “I appreciate all the information you’ve given me, but I’d rather not follow all those steps.” This will make your boss realize that you’re unwilling to meet their demands.

4. Create a Compromise That Will Benefit Both Parties.

When you work together, you have to compromise. That means that you both give each other space and freedom. It doesn’t mean that one person gets to decide everything.

It’s important to remember that most bosses aren’t controlling freaks because they’re evil. Instead, they’re control freaks because of underlying issues. Sometimes, they’re insecure and have low self-esteem. Other times, they’re struggling with addiction or depression. In these cases, they may need professional counseling to address their problems.

But you still have options even if your boss has no excuse for their behavior. For example, you could negotiate a new contract with your boss. Or you could look for another job.

5. Find Some Common Ground.

You and your boss are different people. But there are some things that you share in common. For example, you both value honesty, integrity, and respect. So when you encounter someone who acts rudely, you should respond in kind.

However, you also share values like fairness and tolerance. So if your boss treats you unfairly, you shouldn’t retaliate with similar treatment. Instead, you should speak up. You might say something like, “That was unfair. Can we please discuss this differently?”

And if you find yourself being controlled by your boss, you should talk to them. Tell your boss that you feel like they are controlling you. Explain why you think that. Ask your boss if they feel the same way. If so, ask whether you can start working more independently.

In short, you don’t have to let your boss control you. But you do have to learn to deal with them.

6. Stay One Step Ahead.

Control freaks often become control freaks because they lack confidence. As a result, they tend to overreact to situations. They get upset easily and lash out at others. They also seem to expect perfection from everyone around them.

Unfortunately, you can’t fix your boss’ personality disorder. However, you can stay one step ahead by learning to manage your emotions. And you can do this by getting support from friends and family members.

7. Avoid Future Bad Bosses.

The best thing you can do is avoid future bad bosses. That means preventing toxic coworkers. And it also means avoiding bosses who are control freaks.

After all, what makes a good boss? They need to be able to listen to employees. They need to set clear expectations. And they need to treat workers fairly. Unfortunately, many control freaks fail miserably at those three tasks.

So if you want to avoid future bad bosses, ensure that you work with honest, respectful, and fair people. Also, try to avoid working directly under a control freak. In other words, if you want to avoid experiencing the same problems you shared with your current boss, you should consider looking for a new job.

Remember, you don’t have any obligation to tolerate abusive bosses. If your workplace becomes too stressful, then you should take action. For example, you might decide to leave your job. Or you might ask for a transfer to another department or company.

8. Give Feedback When Appropriate.

As long as you’re giving feedback to an employee, you should always give positive feedback first. Then, if the person doesn’t improve their behavior, you can offer negative feedback.

But here’s the problem. Many control freaks are afraid of receiving negative feedback. Consequently, they’ll often ignore it completely. And that will only hurt their chances of improving their performance.

So whenever you receive negative feedback, try to focus on the fact that you’re helping the individual improve their behavior. Don’t worry about making the person mad. Instead, focus on assisting them to become better.

Also, remember that when you give feedback, you shouldn’t criticize someone’s appearance. You should instead focus on the person’s actions. For instance, say something like, “You didn’t follow through on your assignment,” rather than saying, “Your hair looks terrible.” This approach helps you avoid hurting the person’s self-esteem.

Also, keep in mind that some types of feedback aren’t appropriate. For example, you shouldn’t tell someone that they have poor communication skills unless there’s evidence to back up that claim.

Finally, if you feel your employer isn’t treating you fairly, you should speak up. But before doing so, you should think carefully about whether or not it’s worth it. After all, most employers won’t appreciate you complaining about them. So if you want to complain, then you should do it privately.

Conclusion

Don’t get stuck in a situation where a boss is abusing you. It may seem impossible to change your situation, but remember that you can eventually escape this cycle.

To do so, you need to learn how to deal with difficult bosses. Following these tips, you’ll soon find yourself working for a much more pleasant boss.

And if you’re stuck working with a control freak of a boss, take heart. You are not alone. The good news is that there are ways to deal with this type of person and keep your sanity.

By being proactive, staying calm, and communicating effectively, you can survive – and even thrive – in this situation.

And if all else fails, remember that you can always update your resume and look for a new job. Our expert resume writers can help you ensure your application is top-notch so you can land the gig of your dreams. In the meantime, try some tips for dealing with a controlling boss.