Of the many hard conversations you must have at work, quite possibly the hardest is the one when you know your manager has erred and you have to tell her or him.
In that conversation, you must balance a lot of interpersonal dynamics, from managing up and communicating your point of view constructively to not over-stepping boundaries or upsetting the power balance in your working relationship. To be sure, the risks of sticking your neck out are challenging. However, if your communication skills are on point, the rewards could be great – your supervisor’s trust in you, as well as his or her admiration of your professionalism may grow.
Before plunging in to highlight someone’s mistake, consider these do’s and don’ts:
- Do reflect on your office culture. Is constructive feedback, in any direction, encouraged?
- Do be ready to offer a fact-based fix or solution.
- Do think about letting this go if the error is not serious, won’t have long-term impact or won’t come back to bite you.
- Do adopt the tone of expressing a “concern” rather than an accusation.
- Don’t be an arrogant know-it-all.
- Don’t start the conversation without preparing how you will frame and deliver your message.
Remember, regardless of what the boss does next, once this tough conversation is over, it lingers as part of your long-term working relationship with him or her. To make the outcome a positive one, call on all your abilities to convey maturity, empathy and humility.
In this case, soft skills might have a solid impact on your organization and your career.
Sherri Sacks is a Career Coach for the JCS Career Center. The JCS Career Center offers comprehensive employment services to help job seekers of all abilities and skill levels find and maintain employment or change their career. Services include career coaching, career assessments, resumes, interview preparation, and connections to employers who are hiring. For more information, call 410-466-9200 or visit jcsbaltimore.org.
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