She often shoots down your ideas in meetings and can sometimes be harsh. You love your work, but clearly your relationship with your boss needs a repair job. Be proactive with advice from Patti Johnson, CEO and founder of PeopleResults consulting group in Irving, TX.

Find your sanity. After a particularly prickly encounter with your manager, you’re bound to feel frustrated, angry or dejected. Resist the urge to react immediately—and possibly do more damage. Instead, take a walk around the block or sleep on it that night to maintain objectivity.

Assess the situation. Think back on other times you’ve had an issue with your boss. Any commonality between then and now? Maybe she felt you weren’t keeping her in the loop on projects. Try to see things from her perspective as well as your own. Figuring out the sore spots will help ease tension.

Work the solution. Come up with ways to solve the problems you’ve assessed, then meet with your boss to address your concerns. Listen to what she has to say and offer your solutions. You’ll pave the way for an environment where you both feel appreciated and respected.

Tip: Before you send that angry email, walk around the block and clear your head.