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Boss basics

One of the most consistent factors in whether people like their jobs is the personality of their boss.

According to psychological literature on personality and leadership, there are dozens of personality types, some easier to work with than others. Below are a few of the more common ones you may find in the military.

The angry and hostile boss

These bosses are some of the most difficult to deal with. They love to scream at and ridicule you in front of others, and they view you as their personal punching bag. The causes for this behavior are as varied as the individuals, but there are some consistent threads: troubles in their personal lives, poor impulse control and abusive upbringings. Tips on dealing with them:

• In a respectful manner, let him know how his behavior is affecting you and possibly others in the unit. It's a long shot, but this allows you to follow the chain of command - to the next step.

• Run it up the chain. Often, the only way this behavior will change is if it is brought to the attention of a superior.

• Focus on the future: A permanent change-of-station for one of you is not far off.

The passive-aggressive boss

Passive-aggressive bosses can run unit morale straight into the ground. They give mixed signals and keep everyone guessing about their motives. They enjoy taking credit for others' work, criticizing subordinates and superiors in public, and pitting unit members against each other.

Try these techniques:

• If you challenge this boss on something he has done, have evidence to back it up. This boss thrives on ambiguity and is a master of manipulation.

• Get things in writing. If you are unclear about orders, respectfully request an e-mail or memo. This also helps you gather the evidence mentioned above.

The power-hungry boss

These bosses base their self-esteem on how many people they are above and how high they can make them jump. They believe respect is based purely on position and rank and see little benefit in listening to others' opinions. Fortunately, these individuals generally are easier to deal with (unless you are a power-hungry person yourself):

• Recognize their need for power and move on. They are more annoying than harmful, and the mission usually gets completed, which is the most important thing.

• Validate their position and rank. Let them know how powerful they are and that you are grateful to be under their expert guidance. This is a quick way to get on their good side.

In any bad-boss situation, monitor your military bearing closely. Any slight deviation could be seen as disrespectful - which would not bode well for you.

Bret A. Moore is a board-certified clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq.