As a manager, one of the hardest tasks is giving constructive criticism to your staff. It is not easy, but this is not a task that can be avoided; otherwise, employees will not learn, which could hold the business back from success. It would be best if you learned how to give constructive criticism, and there are a few handy tips that can make this much easier and prevent you from damaging morale and harming the relationship.
So, if you are new to management, you dread giving constructive feedback, or have had a few bad experiences, here are some tips that should help you improve.
Ditch the sandwich technique
You often hear people advise using the “sandwich technique” with constructive criticism, which involves starting with a positive comment, following with your constructive criticism, and then closing with another positive comment. While this might give the employee a good feeling, recent research shows that this can dilute the important message. Instead, you are better off focusing on the constructive message but making sure you explain how you will help them improve.
Show an interest
It is also important to show an interest in each staff member and find ways to help them to achieve their goals. If you can build trust and they know that you want to help them succeed, they will not mind if you offer constructive criticism and take the message on board. This is why a good manager will nurture the relationship over time, discuss goals and work together to improve.
Keep teams connected with intranet systems
You want to make sure that communication is open, honest, and easy in your business to keep teams connected and everyone on the same page. Intranet systems can be useful for this and help you to create a culture of constructive criticism. Simpplr offers intranet solutions for your business and have expert advice on how to give constructive feedback to your team.
Make sure you balance criticism with positive feedback
Although it is best to avoid the sandwich technique, you do not want to get a reputation for only giving negative feedback. This is why you should also make sure that you are providing regular, genuine, and honest positive feedback but to try and keep this separate from constructive criticism. Additionally, positive feedback can be given publicly, while constructive criticism should always be in private.
Thank them for changing
Once you have given the constructive criticisms, you should then also watch out to see if they take the message onboard. When you see that they have done this, be sure to thank them so that you can turn the experience into a positive one that strengthens the relationship.
Giving constructive criticism is certainly not easy, but it is also an important part of being a manager. You need to make sure that it is given with tact and sensitively, and when this is achieved, it can boost employee performance, take the company forward and even strengthen relationships.
