JANUARY 12, 2010

"I Love My Boss"

You love your job. But your boss? Not so much. Whether your manager yells or overly criticizes, or maybe is wishy-washy or mentally checked out, there's something you can do about it – besides quit.

Katherine Crowley, psychotherapist and co-author of Working for You Isn't Working for Me, says 95 percent of employees have a challenging relationship with an authority figure at work. "Often these people exhibit some behavior that sets us off, even if other aspects of their personality are very likeable." And it's harder for women, she says. "Because of how our brains are hard-wired, it's harder for us to not take criticism or bad treatment as a personal affront."

"You are 50 percent of this relationship," says Crowley. Her book matches up your personality and your boss's and offers specific strategies, while emphasizing that "the art of depersonalizing is a critical business skill."

Admin Secret and Monster list manager types – and offer suggestions on how to impress and communicate with, not against them (i.e., remind the "Innovator" about Life/Work balance by talking about hers, and gently show the "Patronizer" you're not beneath him).

So when is enough enough? When it's making you sick, says Crowley. (A new study shows employees with poor supervisors take more sick days and are more likely to have a heart attack.)

Minute Mentor: When emotions fly, is it ever appropriate to cry at work? Check out this PINK TV segment.