How to give feedback so it will be heard

DEAR WW: I’ve always struggled with how to criticize someone. Can you give me advice on how to make this less explosive? BLOWN AWAY
DEAR BLOWN:
I’ll make a bet with you. I’ll give you a $1 if you’ll parallel park your car on a busy street blindfolded. Of course you’d never accept my bet, because you [...]

When NOT to give feedback to someone

DEAR WW: Is there ever a time when you shouldn’t give someone feedback? I work with a difficult person who I think would only be set off if I tried to give him feedback. QUIET TIME
DEAR QUIET:
One of my mom’s favorite sayings was, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Who [...]

How to conduct a 360 Evaluation (Where workers evaluate their bosses)

DEAR WW: My company is thinking about doing a 360-degree evaluation. What is the proper way to do this so that everyone gets the most out of it? GOING ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND
Dear Round
Recently, I was driving my new car down the street. Suddenly, the guy in front of me jumped out of his car and [...]

How to deal with a employee who is failing

Dear WW: I’ve got an employee who has a great deal of potential, but he isn’t getting the job done. Any advice on how to turn this around? FUSTRATED
Dear FRUSTRATED,
As I was thinking about your question, I thought of John Gladney. He was arrested in Columbus, Ohio after robbing a bank and jamming the money [...]

How to talk yourself up during a performance review

WW: I’ve got my performance review coming up. I’m pretty shy so I’m not big on talking about myself and what I’ve done and I’m nervous because my boss isn’t the most aware person on the face of the earth. Any suggestions? CASPER
Dear CASPER,
Your email reminded me of a Swedish burglar who robbed an elderly [...]

How to deal with a poor performer

Dear WW: I’ve got a person who just isn’t cutting it. But I feel sorry for the guy and I’d like to be sure that I give him every chance to make it. Can you help me come up with a strategy to do this? LAST CHANCE
Dear LAST,
University of New Brunswick professor Kelly Munkittrick recently [...]

How to conduct an effective performance review

Dear WW: I’ve never done a performance review. In fact, my only experience with reviews was with a boss who was a pit bull and saw them as a chance to sink his teeth into us. What is your short course on reviews? SITTING IN JUDGMENT
Dear JUDGMENT,
At least your old boss didn’t have any extra [...]