How to Critique Your Boss

Making time to critique your boss is one of the most difficult and stressful tasks you will ever have to perform. But it is absolutely necessary if you want your career to be successful. Giving negative feedback and criticism to a boss, if correctly handled, can cause both you and your boss to learn and grow professionally. Take these steps to increase your ability to effectively criticize your boss.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boss
• Courage
• Willingness to Confront
• Sensitivity

1. Examine your attitude about giving criticism. Do you avoid giving criticism to your boss because you are afraid of his or her response? Are you concerned that giving negative feedback will result in receiving a bad performance review? The answers to these questions will reveal the degree of difficulty you have in giving your boss criticism and negative feedback.

2. Exercise sensitivity when criticizing your boss. Think about how he or she will react to your criticism.

3. Evaluate the risks involved in criticizing your boss and giving him or her negative feedback. If you feel the risks are too great, then think of other options for coping with the situation.

4. Choose the right time to give the criticism. Schedule an appointment based on the time of day your boss is usually the most receptive and free from interruptions. Make this a one-to-one discussion

5. Prepare a written “script” of what you will say. Include the following:
   
   a) An opening statement that sets the stage for your discussion. Let your boss know that you have information or ideas that will enhance his or her ability to manage your work unit or department. Make your statement as objective as possible.
   
   b) A brief description of the problem or issue you are experiencing with your boss. Focus on the facts.
   
   c) How the issue impacts your ability to perform or the work unit’s effectiveness.
   
   d) Win-win suggestions for how the situation can be rectified. They should be mutually beneficial and build up your boss instead of tearing down.

6. At the end of your meeting, summarize what has been shared and what your boss has agreed to do. End the meeting on a positive note by reiterating your commitment to improving your own performance as well as enhancing the relationship with your boss. Thank your boss for taking the time to meet with you.

Tips & Warnings

• Never go over your boss’ head to complain. This causes you to lose credibility in management’s eyes.
• Do not criticize your boss in public or be critical of him to co-workers.

Resources

• 31 Ways to Make Your Work Relationships Succeed
• Answers to Your Questions about Job & Career

[Tehilliahwriter]

on 1/10/2009 Very well expressed!! I really enjoyed this article. I personally liked step 5"preparing a written script as to what to say" Great job
5*
Blessings and Favor,

Tehilliahwriter

[showpup]

on 12/22/2008 Great advice. John and I were just discussing this very thing yesterday regarding one of his bosses where he was employed, now laid off. They could be doing things much differently which would have saved hundreds of jobs.

[klnygaard]

on 7/30/2008 I like #5. having your ideas organized would prove to have a better effect.

[smdivin]

on 7/30/2008 Good advice! Especially step 4. I've seen a situation where an employee was unhappy with the boss' position and gabbed about it first. Needless to say, by the time the employee addressed it with the boss, he had already heard about it.

[Cherst1031]

on 7/30/2008 Very professional advice, thanks.