Management skill: Constructive criticism

Most people do not like hearing criticism.
Giving high quality criticism is an important skill.
Develop your skills at delivering objective, well-timed critical feedback.

Ten top tips to on how to give off-target feedback

Do it as soon as practicable after the event.
Do not save up past errors for the next staff appraisal

Use factual language. Not emotional language.
Factual language is defined as "verifiable through sense perception".

"I can see you have made three spelling errors on this page".

Is better than:

"This page is a bit of a mess because of stupid spelling errors".

Let the other person save face by focusing on the work, rather than the individual's character.

"This has the Da vinci picture in the wrong place".

Is better than:

"You have messed up the position of the Da vini picture"

Always give the corrective action along with the criticism.

"You are using the black one. Please use the green one ".

Is better than:

"You are using the black one. Stop it!"

Have a different policy for each:
Negotiate with those who offer reasons for doing things wrong.
Do not negotiate with those who give excuses for doing things wrong.

Try to get all the relevant facts before the session.
Don't criticise others based on rumour or half truths.
Don't go on second hand evidence.
Get the facts.

Some people are confident and strong and need to be handled assertively.
Others are introverted and shy and need to be handled with sensitivity.
Be ready to adapt your style according to the others character

There are two "why" questions you could ask

1. Why did you do it like that?
2. Why will you not do it like this?

I suggest you
Focus your conversation on the future: because the future is changeable.

Do not focus your conversation on the past. Because the past is not changeable.

Don't get bogged down in the past.
Focus on the future.

Many people try to pass their criticism off as another person's message.

"Personally Steve, I don't have a problem with you swearing at clients, it is just that, the others don't like it. They asked me to have a word with you.

Associate yourself to your message.
It is you speaking.

"I heard you swearing at the client. I want you to use proper language at all times when dealing with difficult clients"
Don't be afraid other the word "I".

Do not criticise others if you are angry.
In order to criticise others you must be in the right mood.
Wait until you are calm so that you will be able to choose your words more carefully

"Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him."

Good criticism should be seen as "valuable information" which you can use to inform your next improvement. "

Chris Farmer is the leader of The Corporate Coach Group, which he started in 1997.

"I started the company because I believe there are many people who are searching for practical advice on how to get the most out of themselves and other people.

Now more than ever organisations need their people to be productive, happy and loyal. That means that the leadership and management of people cannot be left to arbitrary feelings or whim.

Rather, leadership and management should be a system of professional skills that embodies recognised principles. This is the rationale behind the C.C.G. system. Our goal is to define the correct principles and demonstrate how to implement them in practical Management Training Courses.