Tough bosses can be found in every work field but the trick is learning how to deal with them so as you can survive your five days a week without wanting to break into a psychotic frenzy and slay the demon who taunts your every move. The demon may be closer to you than is comfortable, but you need to make your peace with this dark force. Shine some light into the darkness which weighs as a heavy burden and clouds your skills and abilities.

Keep cool in the heat of the moment.

You can hear the rhythm of your heart as it beats louder and louder with every step that you take towards the temple of gloom (sorry, his office). Take some deep breaths, feel the anxiety decrease and experience a sense of calm. Imagine walking into his office in a virtual suit of armour which will dispel any negativity or profanities which are directed at you.

Learn to spot the insults from the frustrations.

Allow me to explicate further. Your boss waving his finger at you and raising his voice to ear deafening decibels may not be the perfect way to start your Monday morning but his secretary should know by now that he doesn't drink tea and always takes his coffee black. You just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The natural reaction may be to retaliate, but the best weapon to combat anger is to hold your tongue.

The wisest thing to do is remind yourself that he is under pressure and that hurtful things are often said in heated moments. Remind yourself that this is your boss's anger and not yours so keep a cool head and you will remain confident and poised.

It's all in the timing.

If you find that your boss has a certain time of the day where he more expressive than usual, try to keep your distance. Also, see if you can find any patterns which set him off. Maybe he abhors lateness or he has a certain dress code which he expects staff to adhere to. By mastering your boss's behavior, you may be able to build up a rapport which sets you apart from your colleagues and allows you to interact with him on a different level.

A little praise goes a long way.

Don't rattle your boss's cage by feeding him ammunition to use against you. Always treat him/her with the utmost respect. Address him/her as Mr. or Mrs. and keep your voice pleasant and calm. Another way to dispel anger is to use compliments whenever possible. Don't be embarrassed to praise your boss for a great slideshow or presentation. Compliments have a way of cancelling out negativity but keep it subtle as you don't want to end up looking like a minion.

Become extra intuitive and keep a note of the times when your boss has praised you. This can help build your self-esteem when he has just undone all of the good that was keeping your spirits up.

Don't make yourself a glutton for punishment.

If you really do not have to associate with your boss, distance yourself from him. The last thing you want to do is make yourself available as being a verbal punch bag.

Clown around with the boss.

If you are the nervous type and find your boss's presence affects your ability to do your work properly, you may constantly find yourself at the end of his pointed finger.

A way to quash these destructive feelings is to do some mental imagery. Imagine your boss as a little clown with the rosiest cheeks and an exaggerated nose. Brighten the colours and make the image as vivid as possible, turn his voice into a helium induced squeal and speed it up. This simple imagery is sure to make you laugh and turn your perception of him from something intimidating into something less scary. You can then work in a calm and relaxed state of mind, even if your boss decides to sit right next to you!

Don't take your boss home with you.

When you walk out of the office at the end of the day, leave him/her behind. Go home and unwind, focus your mind on other things and then put the duvet over your head and block him out until the next day.

Clear the air

If you are the type of person who needs to get things off your chest and face a situation head on, you may find talking to your boss an effective way to resolve your frustrations. Choose your words carefully as you do not want to appear accusatory. Show that you want to have a good working relationship with him and suggest ways that this could happen. Talk calmly and constructively and ensure that you pick a time when he is less likely to be interrupted. If you have a strong urge to speak to your boss, go with these feelings and clear the air. It is much better to face up to him than to torture yourself for months on end.

Too bad, it's their loss

If you find that you really cannot tolerate a boss with a short fuse, you should start looking for a new job. Sometimes, just the process of looking for a new job helps a nervous or angry person to cope better. The thought of knowing that there is a 'get-out clause' helps them find inner, renewed strength and in many cases, the weeks roll by and they realize that things may not be so bad as they are still sat at the same desk.