I’ve seen this with my roommate who had a very nasty supervisor (in a medical setting, no less). She employed the third tactic that resulted in a plan on where both the supervisor and employee could resolve their conflict (I’ll be more x, give more y, etc).

The point is to paint a realistic picture of what the hypothetical boss is asking for. If it’s a worthwhile project that you have the resources to do or can get them in a reasonable amount of time, do it!

Now, if (hypothetically) I was an idiot, lacked self-awareness, tact and leadership, I might spend a lot of time barging into people’s offices, giving orders, creating false crises and generally being a dick. And I wouldn’t know that I was doing it. From my (hypothetical idiot) perspective, all my subordinates look like lazy, defensive slackers and my only motivational tool is the stick.

On the other hand, if (hypothetically) I’m reasonably self-aware and well-intentioned, the kind of delaying and displacement activities you outline would be pretty corrosive to the relationship I would want to create. There is a risk, actually, that you would come across as the kind of manipulative lazy employee every boss dreads.

This plainly is a recipe for disaster but if you see the problem from the boss’s perspective, perhaps some other options are available.

For example, say ‘no’ with reasons or say ‘yes’ with constraints and caveats. Put the reasons in writing for future reference (email or in your notebook is fine). Alternatively, propose a more reasonable plan or explain that ‘if you need me to do this, I’ll have to stop doing that’ – lay out the choices.

I guess what I’m saying is if your boss (or client, if a freelancer) is a complete asshole, you’ll have to quit or at least cover your ass. If s/he’s not then you will do better in every case by trying to be a model, rational, self-aware, diligent and motivated employee than by trying to play mind games yourself.

The answer to idiocy is not more idiocy.

(Sorry that was all a bit more ranty and less constructive than I intended! I guess I suddenly felt sorry for the boss in your story!)