Oftentimes, employees feel hopeless when their supervisor is insecure and targets them for no reason. However, these employees have many tools available to them. As an employee, you can deploy witty retorts to stand up to your supervisor.

Tool#1: Amplify

You can repeat a word or expression that your supervisor often uses to get the supervisor to drop it. Use additional adjectives to clarify the meaning. For example, your supervisor tells you that you were late, and tardiness will not be excused, even though you were not late. Wait until the next staff meeting or when a couple of employees are around you, then when the supervisor stops by, say “ the real tardiness is the delay in using good judgment, right?” then, your co-workers will agree with you. For this technique to work, you need to blend your statement within the conversation that you and your co-workers were talking about before the supervisor showed up. You should not use this technique to get back at your supervisor because you don’t like them or you want to avenge yourself. The purpose of this technique is to

Tool#2: Repurpose

Use a negative statement that the supervisor used to address you to emphasize a positive attribute. For example, the supervisor used a highly unprofessional language to intimidate you. For example, you can thank the supervisor for using such a language that reflects their caliber and work ethics. You are telling the supervisor that they lack basic work ethics. However, you are doing it safely; the supervisor can’t retaliate against you.

For this technique to work effectively, you need to;

1) Use a mild and professional tone. Otherwise, you will expose yourself.

2) Elaborate on the details of the real event, so that your supervisor can recall it to understand the true meaning behind your note.

3) Be careful and don’t overdo it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if I don’t know what to say?
  Don’t say anything. Go home clear your mind, and then come up with a suitable phrase.
• I am not that good with words. I feel paralyzed when my supervisor intimidates me. What can I do?
  Practice taking small steps toward defending yourself. You can say a word, a phrase, and then a sentence.
  – I can’t think that fast and by the time that I figure out what to say, the moment is lost. What options do I have?
  It helps to stop and think about it. You don’t need to retort right away. When you are ready, opportunities will present themselves to you. Your supervisor will come after you again. Just be ready next time.