Harriette Cole: My boss is way too bossy, and I need survival tips

How can I manage this relationship until I get out?

DEAR HARRIETTE: My manager is extremely bossy, and it’s making my job environment unpleasant.

I really like the company and the co-workers, but my boss makes my life miserable.

I’ve been actively searching for a new job, but with the current state of the job market being so tough, finding opportunities has been difficult.

While I continue my job search, I’m struggling to figure out how to manage my relationship with my boss. Every day feels like a battle, and it’s taking a toll on my morale and productivity.

How should I deal with a boss who constantly micromanages and dictates every aspect of my work? I understand that confrontation might not be the best approach, especially given the current circumstances, but I also don’t want to continue feeling disempowered and frustrated.

Is there anything I can do to improve my relationship with my boss or at least make the situation more bearable until I can secure a new job?

— Managing My Boss

DEAR MANAGING MY BOSS: Go on the offensive.

Ask your boss if you can have a weekly meeting where you go over what is expected of you and let them know you will give reports daily on your progress.

Explain that it is hard for you to get things done well when they are constantly questioning your work. Suggest that if you commit to detailed daily reporting, it should satisfy their concerns about your productivity while allowing you space to get the work done.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m currently in a tough spot where I’m considering moving out of my parents’ house in the suburbs of Chicago, but my two older siblings, who live nearby, aren’t stepping up to help out with our parents’ care.

I want to be independent and pursue my corporate career, but I also feel guilty about leaving my parents, who are both in their late 70s and dealing with health issues, in a situation where they might not get the support they need.

How can I handle this situation in a way that ensures my parents are taken care of while still pursuing my own goals?

I’m torn between my desire for independence, my responsibility toward my family, and my uncooperative siblings. Any advice on how to strike a balance here?

— Primary Caregiver

DEAR PRIMARY CAREGIVER: You need to call a family meeting with your siblings and have a frank discussion with them about your parents’ future.

Make it clear to them that you all bear some responsibility for caring for them, and it is time for everyone to agree on a strategy together.

In your advance work, map out duties that you believe need to be fulfilled with recommendations for who does what. Be sure to do this from the perspective of you no longer living in the home.

Present your ideas and listen to theirs. This will likely be the first of many conversations. Don’t let them get away with doing nothing.

Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.