Situation · Work
“My boss criticises everything and nothing is ever good enough”
What could be going on
Unrelenting standards/hypercriticalness schema: Fits if their standards are impossible for everyone, including themselves.
Envy disguised as critique: Fits if the criticism is vague, personal and sharpest when you do well.
Perfectionism: Fits if they redo things to tiny standards and can't accept good enough.
Destructive and abusive leadership: Fits if it is aimed at you repeatedly and wears you down.
Must control details: Fits if criticism is really about control: it must be done their way.
Negativity bias: Check whether you remember the criticism and miss the praise; ask a colleague what they notice.
Questions to carry
- The last time I handed something in, what did my boss pick out first, and what was left unsaid?
- After the feedback, how long does it stay with me, and what do I tell myself about my work?
Also said as
- my manager always finds something wrong
- she nitpicks every piece of work I do
- no matter how hard I try my boss isn't satisfied
- constant criticism from my supervisor
- boss is never satisfied with my work
- my manager picks apart everything I do