It’s called peer pressure and according to the latest educational theories, can start from as young as second grade. Where the experts say that whosoever survives from then on will thrive and the rest will perpetually be thrown into the background, I disagree. I don’t know how, but you can throw off the shackles and thrive, life cannot be just that shallow…
There are some people, types of them, who are control freaks. Doesn’t matter to them whether it’s good or bad but it has to be approved or sanctioned by them. Some inherent emotional void that they’re making up for. The one thing you can do is avoid them with a capital A. If it’s the workplace, just move to another department, get transferred or change companies as the bahaviour probably fostered by the management there.
Another way wouuld be to just become as obstinate as they are bossy. It can be fun if you can pull it off. And try not to get manipulated or used like a rag.