When you have listened, then you are able to start a productive conversation. Extend the benefit of the doubt You cannot know all the facts associated with every decision. Give a boss the benefit of the doubt in her decision making. It really costs you nothing but the effort to do so. Lend support Extend a kind word of encouragement, acknowledgement, or appreciation.
Bosses are people.
Admittedly, they are people with power, but people nonetheless. Not every positive exchange between a boss and a worker has to be brown-nosing. Bosses rarely, if ever, receive positive feedback from workers. Think about how much better you do your own work when you feel appreciated. Defer to authority Be gracious and defer when there is conflict.