9 No-Fail Tips for Giving Constructive Criticism at Work
Though criticism is an inevitable part of any workplace, most people find it difficult to give negative feedback to direct reports. Whether you are offering real-time observations or engaging in a formal review discussion, it can be stressful to critique the work of your colleagues.
Don’t let yourself be intimidated by difficult feedback conversations! Honest evaluations are essential to employee development, engagement, and retention. Most employees understand the value of constructive feedback for their company and for their own personal development. A Zenger/Folkman survey found that 93% of people agree that when negative feedback is delivered correctly it can be an effective way to improve performance.[1]
Learning how to give honest, constructive feedback to all types of colleagues will help you be a better manager and will help your employees develop. By providing specific direction based on employees’ actions, you can provide criticism in a way that will help people develop, without making them feel attacked.
Check out this infographic for tips on how to criticize constructively:
Infographic Sources:
Entrepreneur | Inc | Issues I Face | Brain Pickings | Zen Habits | Hubspot | Breathe HR | Hubspot
Article Sources:
- ZengerFolkman.com. “Leaders Aren’t Great at Judging How Inclusive They Are“
Meredith Wood
Meredith Wood is the founding editor of the Fundera Ledger and a GM at NerdWallet.
Meredith launched the Fundera Ledger in 2014. She has specialized in financial advice for small business owners for almost a decade. Meredith is frequently sought out for her expertise in small business lending and financial management.