Here is a strategy you can apply straight away: dialogue!
The best thing you can do is to find out what is happening in your boss’s mind.
If you receive systematic negative feed back, you want to get answers.
The best is to set up a meeting, walk into your boss’s office or invite him or her for a chat.
You need answers and you will get them!
The first step is to be open for constructive criticism.
Here is what you can say:
“Hi, Look… I noticed that lately you seem disappointed by my performance at work. I would like to take this occasion to ask you a couple of direct questions so that I can get better results in the future…”
Then follow up with some key open ended questions:
“What do you feel is my level of performance right now? (0-100%)”
“What do you feel I could do to improve this level of performance?”
“Is there any other feed back you want to give me?”
As you can imagine, these questions do ask for answers.
Your boss might have something in mind.
As long as you keep the communication channels open, you are on the right track. If you let division rule, you’ll end up with greater resentment and conflicting energies.
Now, taking that step does require extra guts and courage.
This is the number strategy which can truly shift everything around.
The reason a boss can be abusive or challenging is because he or she feels that you work against their interest.
It can of course as well be a pure abuse of power.
That’s the other option of course!
Even in this instance, be confident that you can shift things around.
The key is communication.
Now, you don’t have to be all agreeing.
You can set up limits and clear boundaries.
Here is another strategy:
Don’t take responsibility for your boss’s choices or actions.
I know this can be a tough one to accept, but you have little or no power over their decisions.
It’s simple: drop it!
Accept once and for all that they are ones in charge.
Conclusion:
Stick to what you are paid to do and forget about the rest.