Before you agree to work for a Type A manager, you should ask yourself some real questions:

Am I a Type A person? Can I work for a Type A manager?

If your answer is a resounding “Yes” to the above questions, then go for the job. BUT if your answer is a resounding “No” to the above questions, it is time for you to reevaluate your decision.

It is important to know how they (Type A managers) work because, if you don’t know, one thing for sure will happen after you have accepted the offer: you will leave the job.

But if you decide to work for a Type A manager, here are some of the things to expect, and how to handle them:

They are impatient people. They have no time to waste; they are always busy and thinking of the next project. You should be ready to be on the same page. If you don’t understand your manager, don’t pretend. Ask questions. Asking great questions will make you look smart, not stupid. Before you leave your office, ask your boss what you will be working on the next day. If possible, take some of the assignments home to begin working on them. Or, you try to make it to the office before your boss to begin your work. If you cannot take the assignment home, at least learn something about it when you get home. The point here is: you have to be a good time manager. If not, you cannot survive a Type A manager.

They are very competitive. Are you not going to be competitive when you are seating close to a competitive manager in the office? They want to be the best. They want to win. They motivate themselves; they don’t wait for people to tell them what to do. They function very well in a stressful environment. They enjoy doing jobs that are challenging, not some boring or brain-killing jobs. Your boss expects the same level of competitiveness from you. To enjoy your work, you have to develop a strong mental toughness. You have to be tough. You have to be a resilient person.

They are committed to their jobs. To Type A managers, commitment is the key to success. If you want to survive a Type A manager, you have to be committed to your work. You have to do your work with all that is left in your brain. They are loyal to their jobs; they expect the same from you. Never say what you cannot do for your boss. Always be honest. Say what you can do and do it very well.

They talk very fast. If you want to survive a Type A manager, you must hone your listening skills. Since your boss talks very fast, you should pay attention to him or her. Try as much as possible to be present. This is not the time for a divided attention. If you are not present, you will miss everything he or she instructed you to do. So, be present when your boss is talking.

Finally, try as much as possible to take care of yourself. If you ignore your own health and well-being, you cannot work for a Type A manager.