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Created on: November 02, 2009 Last Updated: November 03, 2009
I have a controlling boss that I affectionately call "capon". What is a capon? A capon is a castrated male chicken. Yes, the capon travels the chicken coop without balls, strutting his feathers. Some use the term "over-controlling" to describe their boss. Others call their boss "micro-managers". I call my boss a capon.
Bosses tend to be controlling, due to the fact that they are afraid of losing control. Even if a boss knows that his or her employees are competent, they still have little faith in them. Most bosses get off by telling people what to do. There are ways to deal with the capons in our lives and I will explain a few of them.
My boss is a perfect example of a controlling management turd. I noticed, through the years of knowing this guy, that he is weak. He struts around like he is the cat's meow, but we know different. He knows that I am more than capable of doing my job, and yet, he still second guesses me. So, how can I get this guy to lay off? I started highlighting his weaknesses in front of co-workers. My boss likes to tell stories, of which all of them are lies. I wait until he is finished with his bogus story, and ask him "was that a real story?". He gets mad because everyone knows the story was made up, or stolen from someone else.
I am not trying to get you fired. I am just telling you ways that I cope with my capon. Knowing more about your line of work than your boss helps. If you are not smarter than your boss, you need to be. I feed my boss ideas that I know he will take to a management meetings. I know that if he walks into that meeting and brings up the issue I fed to him, the department heads will grind him up. One would think he would catch on that I am setting him up, but his head sounds like a baby rattle when he walks.
Look your boss up on line for dirty little secrets. My boss likes to beat his wife and finds time to get arrested for harassment. These are good topics of conversations in the office. Once your controlling boss sees that he or she is surrounded by a pack of hyenas, they tend to lay down and let you work in peace.
If you are dealing with a capon, stand up and be counted. Sometimes you have to lower yourself to their level. God is it fun!
Learn more about this author, Greg W Huffman.
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