Bosses who want their way...

'My manager- I ' is just another relation one needs to nurture and build. Refer HBR classic "Managing Your Boss" for more details.

Every sustainable relation between 2 partners is a means that helps both partners meet more needs than those they'd meet if they were alone. One has to help one’s manager succeed and manager has to help her /his directs succeed; success can mean different things to different persons, usually it involves achieving a combination of emotional, personal, financial, social needs. If manager helps directs succeed, then directs do not mind giving manager what s/he wants; that means directs would make some choices that they would not normally make.

Here is a pertinent quote - “Two things to help keep one's job. First, let the boss think he's having his own way. Second, let him have it.” - Sam Ewing

If one is left with only those two choices mentioned by Sam Ewing, then I recommend one to have a discussion with one’s manager to understand each other’s expectations. Usually, I expect action- ' the need to change' lies on both sides to ensure relationship improves. If things don't improve and it's still tough to continue the relation, then I recommend suspending the relation over medium term.

Another quote “Insecure managers create complexity.” - Jack Welch. This statement applies to everyone, managers are just a subset; Insecure persons make things complex. Or putting it in another way- "things appear complex as long as one does not understand, one does not understand things as they are not qualified and (including not making enough effort to understand) continue to do social-loafing.” If boss is insecure, then what should directs do?