How do we deal with bossy leaders?

Dealing with bossy leaders can at times get difficult, especially if these leaders operate at a transactional level.

Broadly, one way of categorising the different leadership styles across cultures and organisations is into transactional and transformational leaders. Since transactional leaders tend to focus on management by exception (watching and intervening in situations of deviations from rules and standards) it could become very overbearing for a team of followers at some point. Contingent rewards such leaders deploy to boost motivation in the team could turn toxic after a while for team members owing to the bossiness. With transformational leaders however, idealised influence, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and individualised consideration collectively act together to muffle any blow that their bossiness could cause.

One solution in the case of transformational leaders however is to acknowledge their style and identify to work together in ways which doesn't get toxic for the follower or the leader.