I always respond in a rational and calm manner. That usually works. If it doesn't I just ignore him until he apologizes in some manner.
I say nothing until he is finished, then I say ( Ok I Will Do What You Say ) sugar works better then salt PS I have never been fired
I try to keep a cool face, and say I'll fix whatever I did wrong, won't happen again, yadda yadda. Secretly though, I just get pissed at them, because I know they aren't always doing the right thing, we're all human and make mistakes, why do I have to get yelled at?
I'm a Boss and usually an employee doesnt do anything. They just talk crap behind there bosses backs. But that doesn't matter to the Boss, what matters most is for the business to keep moving.
I understand him if I've done something wrong, if he's angry for no reason I'll just say "I don't want a boss like, I quit"... well... At the moment I don't get angry with myself, so I'll never tell myself (Hey me! I don't want to have boss like me) FYI: I'm my own boss... my boss is me... LOL