The door to the boss's office is yanked open and before you even see his or her face, you hear it: the angry voice bellowing down the hall.

You or some co-worker are about to become victim of a screaming Mimi, the stereotypical bully boss we all know and hate.

Don't let the name mislead you. A screaming Mimi can be male or female. According to the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute, this type of bully boss, regardless of gender, controls the office through fear and intimidation.

Why so bellicose? Because a screaming Mimi is emotionally out of control, impulsive, explosive and overbearing. Add to that the unwelcome traits of self-centeredness and insensitivity to the needs of others.

And often, say Institute researchers, this bully boss's chief tool is the threat of physical violence.

Underneath it all, a screaming Mimi is very worried about being detected as an imposter. In fact, this bully's bombast is generally his or her way to mask underlying incompetence.

Jay MacDonald is a contributing editor based in Mississippi.
Illustrations by Brandy Kesl