How to Deal With a Boss That Yells

Keep your cool when your boss yells.

A boss that respects you can make it possible to produce exemplary results. A difficult boss may turn productive employment into stressful servitude. If you have a supervisor that becomes abusive, you may not be able to control the outbursts, but you have options. Be careful when addressing a boss that yells and try to minimize the inappropriate situation.

Instructions

1. Stay calm when your boss gets angry. Although you cannot control your boss's outbursts, you can control your response. Do not respond to anger by getting angry.

2. When he yells, tell him you think a break is in order. Excuse yourself as quickly as possible and tell him you'll be back in a few minutes.

3. Analyze the outburst and see if there's a pattern. For example, if your boss always starts to lose her cool at the end of the month when deadlines loom, you might find ways to circumvent the stress before the yelling starts.

4. Find out if the yelling is connected with your work. If she is upset with substandard work or mistakes, find a time when your boss is calm to talk about the issues.

5. Be constructive to solve problems and avoid a confrontation. Start a discussion by offering several positive statements. Talk about what you like about your job and give some positive comments about your boss. Gradually shift to a nonconfrontational question about the yelling. For example, say "Would you tell me what I do or say that makes you so angry? I want to do the best job I can, but when you yell, it's hard to figure out what I did wrong."

6. Ask your boss to shift to constructive criticism. Tell your supervisor you want to learn and avoid mistakes. A positive, proactive attitude should be disarming.

7. Monitor the situation after the discussion. If the yelling does not stop, consider other options. You might need to discuss the issue with your boss's supervisor, or find another job if the outbursts are intolerable.

Tips & Warnings

• Yelling is inappropriate verbal abuse that you should not tolerate.

References

• CNN; How to Deal With a Bad Boss; January 2007
• U.S.News & World Report; How to Handle a Boss Who Yells; Alison Green; January 2009