Managing a manager who speaks negatively of other people

[Sparklybutold]

How would you manage this? 8 months into role. Casual work. I'm learning my manager is a micromanager and can make assumptions before she knows all the facts. She has also made some personal situations far worse owing to her approach. We work with another professional (external to company) and I have had a very positive professional working relationship with her. This person also gave glowing feedback about me (which my manager was quick to judge - ‘never seen a response like this’, ‘i wonder what compelled her to write such lengthy feedback’ etc). During one supervision meeting my manager spent a good 5 minutes talking how she didn't like her. I remained quiet and didn't respond. It was uncomfortable as it felt she was trying to convince me (herself?) and get me to join in. I have a meeting with my manager tomorrow and I know this other person will be brought up again as we both worked with her recently. How would you manage this? Do I just give a stony responses or should I politely request that we stop the conversation?

What would happen if you said to your manager “I find her very helpful and easy to work with, actually”?

My manager speaks badly about so many people. I used to stay quiet but now I've started to say things like. "Oh, I've not experienced that when working woth them"

Seems to shut her up for a bit

I did reply this, but she came back saying I can see her approach would rub some people the wrong way etc etc. As she's worked a lot longer in the area we work with she might have a point, however I don't feel its professional or productive to talk like this? Especially as it tends to be in my supervision.

As I'm a newbie I don't find I can say this with much conviction. But I did find working with her a very positive experience. As this other person works very similarly to me, I find it a bit upsetting when she speaks so negatively about her because I see a lot of how I work in the person she is skating - maybe I could reflect this?

"Can't say I've noticed that" also seems to work.

On one occasion I was brave and just said " I didn't realise you thought so poorly of them". She back peddled fast

Sounds like your manager is insecure and negging anyone she feels inferior to or feels she had less knowledge than. I'd be saying that you found her very helpful 😉