The Cut - 'My Boss Never Praises My Work'

Dear Boss,

I work as an assistant for the development team of a nonprofit. I’ve been in this role for five years. My manager, Jane, who is far and away the most influential person in the organization, never praises me. Ever. She’s very good about addressing my mistakes (articulating what I did incorrectly, giving me concrete ways to make it better) and isn’t punitive in any way. But she never praises anything I do right. And when I do anything on my own initiative, she reacts with surprise and discomfort. The closest I’ve ever had to a compliment is “It wasn’t bad. It was just …” 

How can I clearly (and safely) communicate that the marked lack of positive feedback leaves me constantly stressed, nervous, uncertain, unwilling to take initiative, and straight up angry?

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