Alex Gay (2/4/2013)
I found an effective way was to ask "Don't you have coffee to drink?" knowing his mug was empty. "No" replied my boss, falling for my cunningly baited trap "I've drunk it all.""Well you'd better make some more, this might take some time. And while your at it I'll one." I replied handing him my mug.
Result, I got rid of him for 5 minutes and get coffee! By the time he got back I knew what the problem was and so was a lot more relaxed and was able to tell him what the fix was and how long it would take.
If they are hovering, it usually means that they don't have anything to do, make something for them to do.
Good one. I've tried to be a gopher when I was a manager. Asking people what they need and getting it for them, including shoo-ing off other managers or directors.