C
O M M U N I T Y
U P
12
Ways to Criticize Effectively
The
next time you have to tell someone that he/she has done something
wrong:
1.
Identify the behavior that you want to criticize. Direct your
criticism at the action, not the person.
2.
Make the criticisms specific. Not "You always miss deadlines";
but: "You missed the March 15 deadline for your report."
3.
Be sure the behavior you're criticizing can be changed. Foreign
accents, baldness, and other things tangentially related to
some business dealings cannot always be changed.
4.
Use the "I' and "we" to stress that want to work
out the problem together, rather than making threats.
5.
Make sure the other person understands the reason for your criticism.
6.
Don't belabor the point. Short and sweet; no lectures.
7.
Offer incentives for changed behavior. Offer to help the person
correct the problem.
8.
Don't have a tone of anger or sarcasm. Both are counterproductive.
9.
Show/tell the person that you understand his or her feelings.
10.
If you're putting your criticism in writing, cool off before
writing the critical letter or memo. Be sure only the person
who it is intended for sees it.
11.
Start off by saying something good.
12.
At the end , reaffirm your support and confidence in the person.
(Highlights,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan)
