How do you handle working for an idiot?

[Joel]

The office manager in my previous job was like that. I had to leave at the end of last year because of it.

Micro-manager who thought she knew everything. Spoke of team work, but loved to delegate constantly and failed to listen to suggestions (even when she asked for them). The environment she created (along with the owner of the business) had forced every female employee that we had out of the business during the time I was there (close to 6 years).

Yet, she was the "favourite" and what she said carried weight (who knows why)...so as soon as I was on her bad side, the owner didn't have the time of day for me. ie. she was on maternity leave, the boss bought me tickets to a final a few years back for my hard work. She returns, things are suddenly up the shit. Hmmmm.

Despite the fact that I worked my arse off and constantly put my hand up to do extra work within the business (or just took the initiative and did it without prompting).

It wasn't all her though - the business owner was to blame for much of it.

Moral of the story. If you don't see any way out of it, consider your options elsewhere.

[Mugwump]

The only formula that has ever worked for me is the following : "I have enough respect for you to give you my honest opinion on how to get this done, but if you see it differently and want it done differently, then I think my job is to support you and help you to get it done the way you want." It's not exactly honest, but it takes most pf the antagonism and defensiveness out of the situation and usually builds enough trust for them to see me as a partner, rather than a threat, and to use my ideas. It helps with bosses that are not dumb, too.

If they're too dumb for that, then you either have to ride it out, avoid them, look for a transfer or resign.