Delivering Criticism with Tact

In today’s tight labour market, delivering a necessary criticism is a walk in a minefield. You don’t want to lose an employee, but you also need to correct and direct. The key is tact. Here are four tips to delivering positive criticism:

1. Show that you’re in it together.
Focus on a common goal. Instead of saying, “We’ll never get the project done on time if you don’t get me those research reports” try saying, “We’ll get this project done a lot sooner if you pull the research reports together while I edit the proposal.”

2. Show how their performance affects them and others.
Don’t bellow out that you’ll look the fool if the project isn’t done on time. Let them know that if they’re late, you’ll both suffer the consequences.

3. Explain the client’s or CEO’s point of view.
Refrain from pointing at all the ways the reports are written incorrectly. Instead, tell the person that you understand his or her approach but that the client or CEO would probably see it differently.

4. Ask permission.
People are always more likely to listen to what you have to say if you first ask “May I make a suggestion?”  When a person is willing to accept help, he’ll be more willing to accept criticism.

Adapted from Fortune Small Business