How to not feel intimidated

[Itshotoutthere]

Every Wednesday I have a meeting with my boss. As soon as I go into his office I feel like I'm a kid again in the headmasters office. I get all nervous and feel lnadequate. I need to challenge things that are going to be said tomorrow ( things I should've challenged last week). How do I go about this without looking like an idiot. ( Please be kind, I stress about this nearly every day,)

Most people would feel intimidated in these circumstances, it's a pretty normal situation unless your boss is someone who goes out of their way to make colleagues feel at ease.

Think through what you have to say and the words you will use and write it down. Approach it from a neutral attitude, no blame or shame on either side. You could write what you want to say in a notebook as a reminder if you are scared you'll forget in the moment and take it into the meeting with you as a prompt.

You might want to walk into the office and before s/he says anything get in there first. 'I've been considering what you said last week about X and I think it's important that you know Y and Z.' That way you take control of the situation. Offer some evidence (emails, order forms or whatever) to back up Y and Z if it's that sort of issue. Only you know what it is you need to say and why it was difficult to say it last week.

Remind yourself that you're an adult dealing with another adult and that one day you may be in his or her shoes.

There are lots of books on assertiveness that'll give you tips you could benefit from. Good luck.