Bad Bosses on the Big Screen

Darth Vader, Lex Luthor and The Terminator are famous Hollywood villains. But these characters from the dark side haven't cornered the market on big-screen bad guys. There is another classic movie villain: the big, bad boss. Following are four fictional – yet all-too-familiar – managers from the silver screen, along with tactics for dealing with similar real-life bosses:

Bill Lumbergh, Office Space
The ultimate micromanager, Bill Lumbergh drove his poor employees to their wit's end with his silly and incessant nitpicking. The passive-aggressive paper-pusher put process before people, requiring subordinates to follow his direction to the letter, even when handling the most minute and insignificant tasks.

How to cope with a micromanager: Be detail-oriented. Micromanagers are often controlling because they have trust issues. To gain your boss's faith, consider keeping a log outlining your current assignments and making note of the steps you've taken to ensure top-quality work. Periodically providing status updates on your projects before being asked also can be beneficial.

If these efforts fail to convince your boss to loosen the reins, be direct and ask for more freedom. But focus the discussion on your desire to boost your decision-making and critical-thinking skills, not your supervisor's maddening style of over-the-shoulder management.

Gordon Gekko, Wall Street
Selfish and power hungry, corporate raider Gordon Gekko represents leaders who will step on anyone to get what they want. Gekko was wildly successful but morally corrupt. The ruthless and status-driven businessman was famous for saying, "Greed is good" and "If you need a friend, get a dog."

How to cope with a self-serving manager: Tread carefully and try to keep some distance from managers who care only about their own advancement up the corporate ladder. While your boss might not be as manipulative and ethically challenged as Gordon Gekko, it can be difficult to grow as a professional when your supervisor looks out for only his or her interests.

Try to build relationships with honorable and team-oriented leaders within your organization or professional network who could serve in mentorship roles. If a self-obsessed manager is purposely undermining your efforts, stealing credit for your bright ideas and damaging your professional credibility, it's probably time to seek employment elsewhere.

Charlie, Charlie's Angels
Rarely seen, Charlie's main mode of contacting his staff was via speakerphone. In fact, the team interacted more frequently with his assistant, Bosley, than with the mysterious Charlie himself, making face time virtually nonexistent.

How to cope with an absentee boss: To thrive when working for this type of manager, you need to be a go-getter who will take the initiative to get the job done under minimal direction. You may want to set up a support system within the company consisting of colleagues and other managers you can turn to when you need immediate advice and your supervisor is unavailable. Since your boss is difficult to reach, ask him or her for the best way to stay in contact, particularly if an emergency situation arises.

Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada
An archetypal bully, fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly delighted in demeaning her assistants. In addition to demanding that her every professional (and personal) whim be catered to immediately, she was disrespectful, condescending and abrasive. The only motivation she offered employees came in the form of intimidation, threats and cruel quips.

How to cope with a bullying boss: Never ignore a bully. Either stand up for yourself by tactfully confronting your boss about the problematic behavior, or consult another supervisor or your human resources department. You'll bolster your case by documenting what was said or done, when it took place, and who else was present. If you take action and see no improvement, think about requesting a transfer or moving on to a new employer who will appreciate – not humiliate – you.