Do you work for an overly critical boss? When every task seems to invite scrutiny, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and demoralized. But you’re not powerless. Here’s how to manage up effectively and reduce the emotional toll of chronic criticism.

View feedback as engagement. Your boss’s criticism means they’re invested in your work. Separate their tone from what they’re saying to extract insights that could actually be valuable. Translate harsh words like “This is unacceptable” to “There are issues to address” in your mind.

Get ahead of their negativity. Proactively seek your boss’s input. Before starting a project, ask for their thoughts, then show them rough drafts early on to capture their expectations and conserve your energy.

Put them on the spot. Encourage more balanced feedback by asking what’s going well, not just what needs work. And when they deliver vague criticism, ask for specific examples and clarification to make the feedback constructive.

Try “yes, and…” Acknowledge your boss’s perspective (“yes”), then add your own (“and”). For instance, “Yes, the timeline is tight, and I believe we can meet deadlines if we adjust our resource allocation slightly.”

Reward good behavior. Acknowledge when your boss gives constructive and positive feedback. A simple “Thanks for sharing! That helps me feel more motivated” shows what kind of feedback has a positive impact on your performance.
This tip is adapted from “How to Work for an Overly Critical Boss” by Melody Wilding