My new boss has left me feeling frustrated and worthless – how do I deal with such a micro-manager?

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is struggling to cope with a new manager who wants things done very differently. Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) My boss left in March and there was a gap before my new manager started last month. During this time, I just got on with my job in the same way as before, and none of my superiors complained about my work. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! However, my new manager has decided she wants things done very differently, and it feels like she’s blaming me for all our current systems. She says she can’t believe how badly I’ve organised everything – even though I was just working in the way my old boss wanted. READ MORE FROM BOSSING IT She’s insisting I run everything past her, including internal emails, and it’s left me feeling frustrated and worthless. How do I deal with such a micro-manager? Ellen A) A new manager is perfectly entitled to introduce different ways of working, but it is unfair of her to criticise you for following processes that were already in place. My advice would be to avoid becoming defensive, even though I completely understand why you’re frustrated. Instead, calmly explain that the systems you were using were agreed under previous management and that you’re happy to adapt to any new requirements she chooses to introduce. The level of oversight you’re describing suggests someone who is still trying to establish herself in a new role. New managers can sometimes overcompensate, because they’re keen to prove themselves. Arrange a one-to-one meeting and ask for clear expectations, priorities and measures of success. The more clarity you have about your role and how to perform it, the less room there is for future misunderstandings. And remember, her arrival doesn’t erase the contribution you’ve already made to the business. Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.