How to Deal With a Crabby Boss
A boss who yells at you for even the slightest of mistakes, turns verbally abusive without reason and has a scowl as his most positive expression is a difficult boss indeed. Some crabby boss behaviors can be managed; some bosses stay obstinate even after your efforts to have smoother relationships, If this is the case, it's likely time to look for another job and a better boss. Knowing what you can do, though, is important to deciding whether to stick with the job.
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Instructions
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Observe if your boss is her own crabby self with other people in the department or just you. Take consolation in the fact that your colleagues are as much victims as you if her crabby behavior is not exclusive. See how your colleagues respond to your boss's behavior. If they stay calm, let the boss yell and then get back to work, do the same or else start a job hunt.
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Control from reacting in anger or turning defensive in the face of your boss's outburst, as this will only aggravate his crabbiness. Stay calm instead and listen to what he has to say. Ask him, in quiet tones, what he finds wrong with your work. Your calm behavior could change his attitude.
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Have a one-to-one discussion with your boss and tell her how her behavior is affecting you and your work performance. Target your boss' behavior and not her as a person. Say something like "Your comments are far from constructive," instead of "You are an abusive person."
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Give your best efforts to your work leaving little room for your boss to complain. Realize that by doing so, you'll make an impression of efficiency on your boss and also make his job easier, which may make him less crabby toward you.
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Approach a trusted colleague in the human resources department and talk about your boss' behavior. This way, some action will likely be taken against the boss without revealing your identity. Tackle the problem head-on otherwise by approaching the higher management with your complaint.
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Write down your crabby boss's behavior in a journal. Use this method to release your inner tensions. Use the journal if you're planning to complain to management about your boss or as your feedback on your boss for the HR department should you decide to leave the company in future.
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Make a person that you trust professionally and ethically as your mentor; this person can be your co-worker, your boss' boss or a person in another department. Have conversations regularly with this person regarding your issues at work and seek guidance whenever required.
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