Re mentality, I can only compare it to my personal work situation I suppose - if I've got a difficult meeting with a client and my boss tells me I'm going to get an arse-kicking then it'll happen, I'll get an arse-kicking. I'll be prepared for the arse-kicking but I'll still get my arse kicked.
If instead she focuses on the positives then I can make the best of a bad situation and actually do something productive/constructive, etc. It's not rocket science. This raging negativity is utterly depressing to see.