As much as I hate to admit it, I’m a classic case of Youngest Sibling Syndrome. I march to my own drum, am emotionally driven, and worry my older brothers with my impulsive nature. Because I am the runt of the pack, I’d probably deny all of the above if confronted about my irreverent streak. With this in mind, you can imagine I wouldn’t do well under a micromanager, but the reality is that I’m bound to encounter one during my career. I’ve been pretty lucky thus far, but I’m only 23. As my brother Kevin would warn, “just you wait.”

It’s quite possible to survive with an overbearing supervisor, even if you’re free-spirited like me. Once you understand your boss’s thought process and expectations, you’ll know how to keep him/her satisfied — and out of your hair. Unfortunately, micromanagers have the ability to hurt more than just your feelings: Research shows they can also stunt your productivity and lower office morale. Because my own experience in the matter was brief (but substantial), I’ve consulted some experts on dealing with micromanagers, so follow my tips below before you lose your temper, sanity, or will to work thanks to your succubus boss.