On the flip side, many of us do not take the time to "manage our boss". Simply put, it means letting your boss know how you work well and how they can most effectively manage you. When I was interviewing for my current job I told my (now) boss during the interview, "Tell me what you want done, when you need it done by and I'll ask when I have questions or need help." Someone else might say "I like weekly sit-downs to make sure I'm on the right track," or "I work best with a clear list of priorities," or "I work best when I have people to bounce ideas off of."

This is one of the most effective things I've learned to do. Bring it up in an interview - or perhaps a performance review if you're already employed - and you'll increase your chances of getting a better fit. Some companies our managers may not want your style and that's okay...you'd probably be flustered down the road anyway and maybe you should look elsewhere.

Managers don't instinctively know how to manage everyone, though good managers can figure out how to best manage different people. Most managers (sadly, not all) will appreciate you letting them know how you work best.