... so what - if anything - can you do to make the working relationship a more harmonious one?
People who have worked under (or are currently working under) difficult female bosses know what a nightmare the office can become. The bitchiness, backstabbing and abuse that can occur can cause huge levels of stress and cause problems both in and out of work.
Even if she's not the fire-breathing stereotype we saw in The Devil Wears Prada, difficult managers can make life at work a nasty experience if you don't handle situations well when confronted with them.
The following tips may help you deal with these situations if you're stuck with a difficult female boss:
Have a back-up plan.
Remain unemotional even in the face of verbal abuse and harsh criticism.
Avoid going up the chain of command unless it is absolutely necessary.
Accept that you have little control to change them.
Stay calm if she gets emotional, keep your temper in check.
Discuss issues with her as opposed to confronting her.
Always keep your professional face on.
It is important to remember that for a long time women had no place in the business world, or the Man's World, as it were, and that while women are now making their marks in business, insecurities and abuse of power still prevails in some of them.
And then there are people who are just plain difficult…but you'll always get those, no matter what sex.