It seems that you are going to fire: how to defuse the situation

That is how the Council has acted in such threatening circumstances in the pages of American magazine USNews & World Report Alison Green, a specialist psychologist on staff.

Put aside their wounded, "I am." Of course, I want to defend themselves against criticism. However, focusing on the idea of ​​protecting or on the idea that your boss - a screwball, or tyrant, or in this case makes a mistake, you can prevent yourself objectively analyze the situation. There are cases when all could be settled, but this did not happen, because the people did not want to listen to criticism, to build a wall on its way. Even if your boss is a tyrannical temperament, you only hurt yourself if you do not listen to the comments with an open mind.

Still further, move your "I" and send it to the manager of the foot, throwing a defensive stance. Tell the boss: you know that you are unhappy and you would like advice in order to improve their performance. It's not about how to protect themselves, even if eventually you will see that the boss is wrong. This step is necessary in order to hear the chief, whether he is right or not, because, even if the boss is objectively wrong, you need to fully hear the answer to select further action.

Whatever you think about the boss evaluation, the reality is that the boss has a good idea of ​​whether you need this job is suitable or not. So, now that you know the opinion of management, it is necessary to answer two questions: whether cope with the fact of what you are asking? and whether you want to do this? There is no reason to move away from an honest answer.

In some cases, the rejection of the defense, sincere attention to the comments of the manager, the recognition that there is some truth can be to them, can help turn the negative trend. There are cases where employees from the very weak performance of the work achieved exceptional success. This should not forget.

In other situations, you may decide that you can not or do not want to do that, as urged by the authorities. If you share the opinion with the boss about the lack of good prospects in this job, there is one relatively non-traditional, but often surprisingly effective, approach to the problem. Go back to the boss with the statement: "Thank you for being honest with me. I will try to improve, but it seems that it is necessary to be realistic about the prospect that it might not work. I wonder if we could consider a smooth transition for both of us in the event of my dismissal? Were not you against the continuation of the work with me at the time, I begin to look for a new place? This will help me, and you will be able to find a replacement, and I will help the successor to read faster with the conditions of work. "

As a rule, managers are no objections to this situation - who wants to dismiss an employee if it can be avoided? Having made such a proposal boss, you increase the chances that's the way it will pass. You will have time to find a new place, you will not need later to explain the reasons for dismissal, and you can to a greater extent than at the end of the other, to control the situation.

But before you get on this path, you need to clearly understand the relationship culture in the company and install your manager as you can hear in response that, he says, "it looks like you are fired, well, we agree." So, proceed with caution.

Regardless of which path you choose, most importantly, be honest with yourself and take everything with an open mind. Do not ignore the warning signs in the hope that you somehow manage to slip through. Take a proactive stance, you know, nothing to be ashamed if you can not overcome something - to solve their problems, not hiding in the bushes.