How to work with someone who tries to control every detail

How to work with someone who tries to control every detailHow to work with someone who tries to control every detailWorking with someone whos controlling can be extremely frustrating.Heres how to stay afloat when youve been forced to team up with one - or have to answer to one.Dont fight fire with fireChances are, you either want torun away from the person or lash out and then sink into the floor. But this is never a good idea - especially if the control freak is your boss. Theres no point, so you wont want to waste time going down this road.Be both curious and strong in your approachLarry Kim, former founder and CTO of Wordstream and current MobileMonkey CEO, writes about how to do each of these thingsin Inc.One of his tips Try to understand what drives their controlling behavior - are they fearful of their own failure, or perhaps power hungry? You dont have to accept it, but knowing what motivates them can help you figure out how to deal with each new aggression.But Kim also sho ws how being strong can be another useful tactic, writing, Make it clear that youre committed to working with them, but let them know your boundaries and that theyre non-negotiable.Get clear on what theyre supposed to be doingMeridith Levinson, former senior editor for CIO.com (now a web and campaign writer for RSA Security), features advice from Kaley Klemp, co-author of The Drama-Free Office A Guide to Healthy Collaboration with Your Team, Coworkers, and Boss, on the site.Klemp talks about the four main drama types at work - cynics, complainers, caretakers, and controllers. After mentioning how controllers have the potential to be characteristic of micromanagers and bullies at times, she tells the site how to work with them.The key to handling a controlling co-worker is to understand very clearly where your and the controllers responsibilities begin and end, says Klemp. For example, you can approach your manager and say, So-and-So has been doing work that I thought was my respons ibility. Can you outline for me what my responsibilities are and what So-and-Sos are so that I can be sure I am completing my work and not stepping on his toes? Levinson writes. Getting a clear picture of everyones responsibilities will allow you to enforce your boundaries with your controlling coworker. If he continues to infringe on your territory, says Klemp, youll be able to tell him that you ersatzdarsteller checked your responsibilities with your manager and youre certain that she wants you to take care of a particular job.Dont forget to use your voiceKat Boogaard, a freelance writer, blogger and career editor for The Everygirl, writes in The Muse that you should voice your opinions when working with the control freak at your job.We all know that control freaks tend to think their methods and tactics are superior to everyone elses. But, youre still entitled to some self-direction and independence. So, if you flat out disagree with his or her direction, dont hesitate to speak u p, she writes. If the controlling person youre dealing with is a co-worker on the same level as you, youll likely have an easier time doing this.Explain why you chose the process youre using - but, dont feel a need to justify every single one of your choices. That only opens up an entirely new can of worms by making it look like you need a stamp of approval on everything you do. Ultimately, if that piece of the project is yours to work on, you have the right to approach it as you see fit.