There are managers and there are MANAGERS! If your manager has ever made you laugh, cry, hate yourself or push yourself to become better, left you for dead in a ditch of deliverables or abandoned you to handle a big presentation by yourself without any information (but is this actually possible?), then you have met the different shades of mangers.
If you have worked long enough in any organisation, you already know that your manager can influence your stress levels, your confidence, and even how fast you grow in your career.
If you want to have peace of mind and more importantly, grow in your career, you MUST understand the type of Manager you have at every point. Let them call it “licking ass” or being the boss’s pet. The truth is that you’re minding the business of your perception and being intentional about your growth.
Understanding your manager’s personality is not gossip. It is strategy. Some of the most practical career growth tips start with learning how to adapt to different leadership styles. Whether you plan to stay where you are, explore remote jobs in Nigeria, transition into AI jobs, or find international jobs, mastering this skill gives you an edge.
Here are the types of managers you will most likely work with and how to handle each one intelligently. You can call this a quick guide on how to manage your manager.
Table of Contents
1. The Micro-Manager (Aka General Overseer)
You know how it is living in the same compound with your landlord? That is exactly how it can feel being under this type of manager.
This manager wants an idea of everything. They ask for updates often. They review details closely. They prefer to stay involved at every stage of a task.
Characteristics
- They request frequent check-ins.
- They ask to be copied on emails.
- They review work line by line.
- They often remind you how the job is to be done with detailed instructions for every step.
How to handle them
- Communicate before they ask. Micro-manage yourself to them. They love information overload so don’t hold back.
- Send structured progress updates. Don’t ever send in any ambiguous report or just tell them “I’m working on it.”. Tell them where you started, where you are and how long you’ll take to get to the finish point.
- Break large tasks into milestones and share completion status regularly. When they feel informed, they relax.
Benefits to You
When you work with a micro manager, you’ll notice that you have learned the following.
- Sharpen your attention to detail and reporting skills. These are practical career growth tips that will serve you anywhere, especially if you later apply to structured organisations abroad or try to find international jobs where documentation matters.
- You’ll also learn patience and effective communication skills.
But you don’t have to wait to have this type of manager before you cultivate those skills. Just take our 2-hour Soft Skills training ahead of time and you’ll be fine.
2. The Hands Off Manager (Aka Corporate Yakubu Manage!)
If you have this type of manager, you will either learn self-management fast or sink deeper into self-sabotage. These ones will scream “Yakubu, manage!” in corporate speak. Forget about hand-holding with this manager. They will drop their hands at home if possible, as long as you have hands yourself.
This manager gives you freedom. Sometimes too much freedom. But it is not always in a bad way. Sometimes, it is that they trust you to get the job done yourself but may not offer frequent feedback.
Characteristics
- They offer very minimal supervision. You may even forget that you have a manager sometimes.
- They do very few follow ups. They often trust that there’s no need for in-betweens and only want to know the start and end of the project or task.
- They rarely schedule one-on-one meetings unless necessary. If this manager calls you for a one-on-one, you may be in some trouble but don’t panic.
How to handle them
- Create your own structure.
- Send weekly summaries of what you accomplished.
- Ask directly for feedback instead of waiting.
- Clarify expectations at the beginning of projects.
Benefits to You
- You develop independence and ownership. These traits are attractive if you are considering remote jobs in Nigeria, where self management is essential.
- Their leadership style also positions you well for leadership roles
These skills are solid career growth must-haves for ambitious professionals.
3. The Results Driven Manager (Aka The Job Must Be Done)
This is the type of manager that will be on documents at 11pm in the night ensuring that all deliverables are ready to be shipped the next day. With these ones, your favourite phrase must be “No excuses!”.
This manager focuses on output. Numbers, targets, and performance metrics are their language. They are less concerned with how you feel and more concerned with what you deliver. Most managers are like this or appear to be because the business must move.
Characteristics
- Most conversations revolve around KPIs. They rarely ask how you’re faring as long as you look okay. Their eyes are always on the ball.
- Deadlines are non-negotiable. You can’t tell tales with them. Once an agreement is made and they have calculated the reasonable time needed to execute the task, you must meet the deadlines.
- Performance is tracked closely. Office politics don’t move them. You must always show workings.
How to handle them
- Be clear and concise. Don’t beat about the bush. Tell them the goal, and how you intend to achieve it.
- Present solutions, not complaints. When you encounter a problem, offer options. This manager will love you if you always come with the answer, not only the question. “Here’s how I think we can do this” is their favourite thing to hear.
- Keep your updates focused on measurable impact. Again, you must show working because at the end of the day, that is what the business requires.
Benefits to You
- You learn to think commercially. You’ll become business-savvy quickly under this type of manager.
- You learn to quantify your work. That skill is powerful if you plan to transition into AI jobs, product roles, or data driven positions where results speak louder than effort.
- Among practical career growth tips, learning to measure your impact is one of the most important.
4. The Friendly Manager (Aka Big Daddy or Mummy)
This is the type of manager you may always want but not need at certain points in your career. They’re the empathetic and kind ones.
Approachable. Warm. Supportive. This manager builds relationships easily and often treats the team like family.
Characteristics
- They check in on your wellbeing. This is the manager that will have random one-on-ones with you to know how you’re doing outside work.
- They encourage collaboration. You may hear them referring to the team as “family” and giving everyone a high five or finger snaps when a big milestone is hit. They encourage team spirit and onesness.
- They celebrate team milestones. They will clap for every win and ensure that anyone who needs to hear, hears. They may also occasionally buy pizza for the team.
- They are very supportive and always invested in your growth. You will catch them asking what your plans are professionally.
How to handle them
- Maintain professionalism while building rapport. Do not ever take them for granted.
- Maximise the relationship wisely by asking for mentorship and career advice. They are open to teaching and hooking you up to opportunities. All you need to do is ask.
- Set boundaries respectfully if conversations become too informal. They might get carried away sometimes and unintentionally cross boundaries so you must ensure that private is private.
Benefits to You
- You strengthen emotional intelligence and communication skills.
- You build the team player’s spirit.
- You will learn how to navigate professional relationships and goodwill.
These skills matter everywhere, whether you want to grow internally, find international jobs, or build strong networks that open doors. Strong communication is one of the most underrated career growth tips.
5. The Visionary Manager (Aka “Think Big”)
This manager will wear you out sometimes with “big ideas”. They always have something grand they look towards and expect their team (you of course) to also dream and think big.
Big ideas. Long term strategy. Ambitious goals. This manager thinks ahead and talks often about the future.
Characteristics
- They focus on expansion, innovation, and strategic positioning.
- They may move quickly from one idea to another.
- They love and thrive on light bulb moments.
How to handle them
- Translate ideas into action plans.
- Break down big visions into clear next steps.
- Provide timelines and structured execution plans. Help them turn vision into results.
Benefits to You
- You learn strategic thinking. This is especially useful if you are targeting AI jobs or emerging industries where innovation drives opportunity.
Strategic thinking also helps if you want to find international jobs in competitive markets. Among advanced career growth tips, learning to align execution with vision sets you apart.
- You also learn to see the big picture and to think on your feet.
Why You Need to Encounter These Different Types of Managers
Adapting to different manager personalities reduces friction and increases visibility. Instead of feeling stuck or frustrated, you become intentional.
The skills you build are practical career growth hacks that help you build influence, demonstrate maturity, and stand out. Employers notice professionals who adapt instead of complaining.
And while mastering office dynamics is important, growth also requires skill building and opportunity awareness.
Take Control of Your Next Move
Beyond understanding your manager, you should also be positioning yourself for broader opportunities.
While you manage your manager this week,here are a few wins to cash out on.
- Update your profile and explore openings if you want to find international jobs that match your experience. Keep an eye on emerging AI jobs if you are interested in future focused industries. Search for remote jobs in Nigeria if flexibility is important to you.
- Continue building skills through structured learning and soft skills training. Check out our FREE courses that are self-paced and give you certificates at the end.
- Apply quickly to jobs (Jobberman has made this one super easy).
Career growth does not happen by accident. It happens through awareness, skill development, and strategic action.
To Wrap Up
You will work for different types of managers throughout your career. You cannot always change them. But you can change how you respond.
And that decision, more than anything else, determines how far you go.
So, find the type of manager you have from this list and learn how to manage them intelligently. If you have any tips or “update” that we missed out, share please.
