Is your boss really that bad?

Take a step back and see if you’re contributing to the problem.

It’s an understatement to say that working well with your boss is crucial to your career success. Your manager not only wields significant influence over your professional advancement, but he or she also can affect your job satisfaction — and even your overall happiness.

The best working relationships are symbiotic and collaborative, not adversarial. But what can you do if you have a bad boss? Instead of throwing in the towel altogether, take a step back and consider how your actions and attitudes affect how the two of you communicate. Your boss might be a challenge, but could you also be contributing to the problem?

Here is a primer on identifying four of the most common types of “difficult” supervisors and ways of improving the situation.

The Micromanager

How they work: Instead of delegating tasks, a micromanager tells you exactly how, when and where to do them. Directives are given in painstaking detail. Once assigned, the micromanager either watches over your shoulder or demands constant status updates. Instead of helping you produce quality work in a timely fashion, the micromanager’s need to exercise control slows you down, diminishes your job satisfaction and fosters resentment.

What you can do: First, conduct a self-appraisal to determine if you’ve given your boss reason to doubt your abilities and limit your autonomy. Have you missed deadlines, mismanaged important projects or produced less than stellar results? If so, focus on rebuilding your reputation.

If feedback on your performance has always been positive, then explain to your manager that you’re ready to take on more responsibility with less direct supervision. Frame the conversation in a way that emphasizes your interest in building your decision-making and critical-thinking skills — not the fact that you feel handcuffed.

If you are given the added freedom and flexibility, be sure you excel at the tasks assigned to you. Micromanagers fear poor results by employees will reflect poorly on them. Don’t give them any reason to believe their concerns are founded.

The Poor Communicator

How they work: Confusion reigns supreme when working for this type of boss. Unlike the micromanager, the poor communicator provides little or no direction. Your assignments often have to be completed in a mad frenzy at the last minute or redone because goals and deadlines weren’t clearly explained.

What you can do: Although the poor communicator may feel too overworked to take the time to provide instruction, it’s more likely your boss is simply unaware that a hands-off management style is creating problems. In fact, he or she may view the approach as a way of empowering you. For this reason, you may need to be the one to tell your manager what you need in terms of direction and feedback. Gently point out that by receiving more information upfront, you’ll both be able to avoid undue stress and save time on the back end. Ask if you can periodically schedule brief progress report meetings. Seek clarification when confused, first asking your boss whether he or she prefers to communicate in person or via e-mail.

The New Boss

How they work: The new boss hasn’t been with the company for very long but has already made a number of operational changes that have ruffled your feathers — and a couple of outright mistakes. Overall, it seems like things would be better if the old boss were still in charge.

What you can do: More than anything, you need to give a new boss the benefit of the doubt. If you think back to when you started your position, you likely can recall at least a few bad moves you made as you learned the ropes. Everyone needs time to get accustomed to a new role, so don’t form judgments about your manager too quickly. As much as possible, avoid pointing out the way things were done under the prior supervisor, unless asked.

The Toxic Boss

How they work: Toxic bosses come in all shapes and sizes. They may reprimand or belittle you in front of colleagues, take full credit for your hard work or simply enjoy instilling fear in employees. The common denominator is that they undermine your efforts, hold you back professionally and disrupt your ability to work happily and effectively.

What you can do: Unfortunately, the truth is that some bosses are bad, and no amount of effort on your part can remedy the situation. If you have already confronted your boss about his or her behavior and have seen no improvement, consider speaking to another manager or the human resources department. You’ll help your cause if you have documentation of what was said or done, who was there, and when it occurred. Eventually, it may be best for you to request a transfer or seek employment elsewhere. No position is worth risking your health and job satisfaction.

Although some bosses are bad, in many cases, they’re better than you think. Examining your actions and how they contribute to your supervisor’s behavior, as well as improving the lines of communication, can often help you improve your relationship with your manager.

by Robert Half International For CareerBuilder.com