Walter,

I've never cared much for bosses. When I have one I go greatly out of my way to please them and to be successful, and this behavior isn't forced; it's a natural extension of my personality. I like to do a good job so when I have someone who defines what a good job is, then by default I want to impress them.

But I have always resented the idea of bosses and the wasteful forms of control they represent. Like you, I don't care much for their interpretations of my behavior, either -- the idea of someone barking at me to be more efficient simply because I'm not working exactly the way they think I should is aggravating. I always preferred bosses who managed on outcomes instead of trying to interject themselves into their workers' processes. I can handle producing impressive outcomes. I can't handle some idiot blocking my workflow because I'm not using my time in whatever way pleases them most.

J