For most people, their jobs are a place they can go to feel appreciated and to do something they enjoy. But, for some, the workplace can be stressful with a boss that seems to “have it out for” them. They go to work every day in this hostile environment, suffering for no other reason than for the paycheck. They usually feel trapped by their situation and helpless to make it better.

Understanding some coping strategies that will help make your work environment more tolerable, especially in regards to a boss that constantly seems intent on berating you and pointing out what you have done wrong, can make a huge difference in your workplace. One of these strategies is to use reverse psychology when your boss feels that you have done something wrong.

Reverse psychology is such an effective tactic, that it really doesn’t require a great deal of explanation. And, when you understand how the normal course of events usually happen between a boss and their employee, you can understand its true potential. Here is how things normally occur:

The boss blames you for messing something up. You counter back and say that it wasn’t your fault. The instructions or the equipment (or whatever else), was all wrong. And, it can continue back and forth that way until you are even blaming their mother for something that might have happened 50 years ago, to a completely unrelated event.

The next time, try letting things unfold more like this:

When the boss says that you have messed something up, or you have done something wrong, admit your mistake and promise to do better the next time. Even go so far as to give them some ideas about how you plan to avoid those mistakes in the future.

You will have successfully left your boss standing their completely dumbfounded, without knowing what to say to you in response.

They will have been so prepared for you to make excuses that they won’t know what to say. They will have had their predetermined speech ready to go, which has just been lost because the conversation went in an entirely different direction. They were ready to go into battle, but you completely took that away from them.

This does take some ability to swallow your pride, but in the long run, it can make for a more tolerable work environment. As difficult as it may be, when they realize that you are not going to let them knock you down, they might decide that it isn’t worth the hassle anymore.

But never let things get to the point where you feel you are constantly having to admit to mistakes that you were not responsible for. Don’t be a punching bag for your boss, by always admitting you were wrong, especially when you are absolutely certain you were not. Always know your rights and be prepared to defend them if the need arises.