Giving difficult feedback to your manager can be intimidating and challenging, but it's important to communicate openly and honestly in order to maintain a healthy and productive work environment.?
The ability to provide upward feedback is governed by the amount of trust you have between your manager and yourself. If trust levels are not high, it is more likely that sharing your feedback could result in a negative outcome.
If you have a trusting relationship with your manager, below are some tips to help you deliver difficult feedback to your manager:
- Ask: Come to your manager in advance and ask permission to share feedback you have and what your hopes are for doing that. If they provide permission they will likely be much more open compared with you providing unsolicited feedback.??
- Prepare: Take some time to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. It can be helpful to write down your thoughts beforehand to help you organize your thoughts and stay focused during the conversation.
- Use "I" statements: Rather than blaming or accusing your manager, try using "I" statements to express your own feelings and experiences. For example, "I feel frustrated when I'm not given clear direction on a project" is more effective than "You never give me clear direction on projects."
- Focus on the behavior, not the person: It's important to separate the behavior from the person. Avoid making personal attacks and focus on the specific actions or behaviors that are causing a problem.
- Offer a solution: Along with pointing out the problem, try to suggest a solution or alternative course of action. This shows that you're not just complaining, but are willing to be a part of the solution.
- Choose the right time and place: Make sure to choose a private, quiet location to have the conversation, and try to schedule it at a time when you can both give it your full attention.
- Keep an open mind: Remember that your manager may not see things the same way you do, and it's important to listen to their perspective and be open to hearing their side of the story.
- Thank your manager for their willingness to listen to the feedback you have shared.?
Overall, it's important to approach the conversation with respect and professionalism and to focus on finding a solution rather than just pointing out the problem. Doing this well can increase trust in your relationship and will demonstrate to your manager that you care.
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