How to Provide Constructive Criticism

One of the hardest things to do, both in the workplace and in your personal life, is to criticize someone in a constructive and non-threatening way. The next time you have to dish out criticism, try these tips to help you deliver the bad news in a good way.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Combine healthy doses of negative and positive feedback. If you’re dealing with a subordinate or a colleague, remember that everyone has positive qualities and strengths you can emphasize to soften the criticism.

2. Stay specific and on task. Discuss the person’s actions, and point out what he can do to improve. Don’t permit the conversation to wander in other directions, and avoid bringing up unrelated issues from the past. Focus on the subject at hand and get the proper message out.

3. Stay calm and cool when criticizing someone. Avoid pointing out personal character traits and don't let the conversation degenerate. Humiliation will get you nowhere and will reflect negatively on you and your reputation. Keep your emotions in check and neutral.

4. Do your homework and have any facts you might need close at hand. Nothing is worse than a supervisor who speaks in generalities, but who doesn’t seem to have examples, facts or dates at hand. Bring this arsenal with you, because you could be challenged. Make sure that your facts are impossible to dispute. If a paper trail has been kept on an employee, bring that with you or have the details memorized.

5. List specific opportunities for improvement. Unless you’re dealing with an employee with a checkered history, you will want to deliver not only criticism, but real ideas the person can use to improve his performance. Now might be the time to provide the employee with training, staff development or mentoring.

6. Provide the employee with time to respond to your criticism. She might want to explain or clarify. Give her an opportunity to speak, and be a good listener. But keep the conversation non-personal and business-like.

7. Provide the employee with the chance to respond in writing if you are delivering a written evaluation. If your company evaluations don’t permit written responses, suggest that they consider it. It’s the right thing to do.

8. Remember that a little empathy goes a long way. Put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re about to criticize. Remember that he will feel vulnerable or under attack. Reminding yourself what that feels like will help you deliver criticism in a sensitive way.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain eye contact when delivering constructive criticism. It shows that you're sincere and interested.
• Choose a private place to criticize an employee. Nothing is worse than a public flogging.