How to deal with a passive aggressive boss

To deal with a passive-aggressive boss you need to pinpoint the specific passive-aggressive behavior, greet your boss politely every workday, and use communication skills. Here are some details on these and other useful tips for dealing with a passive-aggressive boss:

• Pinpoint the specific passive-aggressive behaviors

First, it is really important to identify the specific passive-aggressive behaviors your boss is doing towards you. Understanding the particular behaviors can assist you in determining how best to handle each one and the situation as a whole. Try to think of all of the ways your boss acts in a passive-aggressive manner toward you.

• Greet your boss politely every workday

Even if it's difficult you need to try to greet your boss politely every day you come into work. The first interaction you have with your boss can sometimes affect how the rest of the day will unfold in terms of their behavior towards you. Use professionalism and greet them in a polite and authentic manner. This can also help you build a foundation for a better relationship.

• Use communication skills

Having and using strong communication skills is one of the most effective ways to work with a passive-aggressive boss. You should practice active listening, stay calm when interacting with them, and try to keep your emotions in check, even when they are acting poorly toward you. Some good ways to improve communications with your boss include:

• Asking well-thought-out questions

• Having in-person interactions, when applicable and possible

• Giving constructive feedback about your working dynamic

• Staying away from personal criticisms

When your boss gives you an assignment, task, or project, make sure you understand your duties and the expectations for your role. If you can get your boss to give you instructions in writing, this helps to keep them accountable later on, if they start to act passive-aggressively without provocation.

• Take notes of your interactions

If your boss is constantly being passive-aggressive towards you, it might be a good idea to start keeping a record of every key interaction you have with them. You can take notes during any meetings, or interactions where they give you directives. Then you can send follow-up communications, like emails, to clarify if you have understood them correctly.

• Have an honest discussion with your boss

If their behavior continues to persist, you might consider scheduling a meeting with your boss to talk about their behavior towards you. Don't let them know exactly what you want to meet with them about if possible, just let them know it is an important matter. When talking with them in the meeting make sure to keep your cool and act professionally.

• Use empathy

Empathy allows you to see things from another's point-of-view, or perspective, in this case your boss. This might help you to understand why your boss is acting in this way, and give you hints about how you can make adjustments that might stop the behavior.