How to respond to unfair criticism from your boss

When receiving unfair criticism from your boss it can be difficult to keep your composure, however, it is very important to try to remain as calm as possible and to act with professionalism. Use distressing techniques, like taking a few breaths before you respond, and try not to react in an emotional manner. Responding angrily can make things worse.

• Ask your boss for clarification

One way to properly respond to unfair criticism from your boss is to politely ask for clarification. It is important to hear your boss's perspective, you should use active listening techniques when doing this. This can help because your unfair criticism might just be related to a misunderstanding or a situation in which your boss doesn't have all of the information.

• Explain your own perspective in a non-combative way

Once you have a clear understanding of your boss's perspective, you can then calmly explain your own viewpoint on the matter. Try to provide examples that support your work ethic or other information that shows your boss's criticism is unwarranted. The key here is to remain professional and not blame or attack your boss.

• Ask for more feedback

Try to get your boss to give you constructive feedback on how you can improve your job performance. This works on a number of fronts because it shows your boss that you really care about your job and also that you are willing to receive constructive criticism. Displaying that you are committed to improvement can also smooth out any tense dynamics with them.

• Follow up on your discussion

Another way to show you're really committed to improving and take constructive criticism seriously is to follow up with your boss after the initial discussion. This helps in terms of communication and ensures that you and your boss are on the same page. If you have taken actions after your meeting, consider including the details in your follow-up communication.