How to Criticise

Even with the best of teams, and with the most progressive of management styles, there will still be times when you need to criticise.

How can you do this without falling into a well of negativity?

Do It Sparingly

When you’re not normally known for it, criticism, when it is occasionally needed, is much more effective.

• The surprise element makes people take notice.
• For you to criticise, the issue must be very serious.

Criticising only very occasionally means it’s not a skill at which you’re well practiced – so spend extra time preparing for the conversation.

Practice your arguments – and your responses to all possible objections – before you speak with the person involved.

Be Sure of Your Ground

Think long and hard about your complaint before you act – it will help make criticism a rarity.

• Are you sure of the facts?
• Do you have objective proof – at your fingertips – that backs up what you plan to say?

Does the issue really need to be resolved by direct criticism? Could there be a better way?

• Coaching – to address the issue indirectly.
• New processes or tools – that prevent the issue from happening again.
• Peer pressure – making the issue just unacceptable to all.

Never criticise in haste – driven by your emotions.

Be Dispassionate

Criticising doesn’t mean you need to raise your voice or bang on the table, especially when it’s rarity has already made people sit up.

Be very clear about what you are criticising:

• There can be no ambiguity.

Express it calmly:

• Showing anger only provokes anger, or fear – if the conversation goes that way it is lost.
• Calm delivery amplifies the importance of what you say.

Manipulate the Conversation

Try to lead the conversation to a place where the person realises the issue for themselves.

• Start from somewhere safe, where you are both in agreement.
• Take the conversation – step by step – on a journey to where you need it to be.
• Get them to say the words that you want to say.

Criticism is always most effective when it is self-criticism.

Points to take away …

• Criticise only sparingly – rarity will increase its effectiveness.
• Check the objective facts and be sure that direct criticism is really necessary.
• Practice what you plan to say – be calm and dispassionate.
• Try to lead the conversation so that they say the words for themselves.