How to offer criticism and live to tell about it

Dear WW: My boss thinks he knows all the answers. It’s impossible to offer ideas and especially criticism. How do you get someone like that to listen? WALKING ON EGGSHELLS
Dear WALKING,
Bill Klem, a legendary baseball umpire at the turn of the last century, was known for having a sharp tongue. Once, a woman in the [...]

How to improve your ability to receive feedback

Dear WW: My company has initiated feedback circles and my first review session is coming up. I’ve got myself worried sick! I don’t perform poorly, but tell that to my stomach! I’D RATHER DRINK CLOROX
Dear CLOROX,
Here’s a feedback story for you. When two teenagers in Sheboygan, Wisconsin were wondering aloud about how it would feel [...]

When to not praise someone

Dear WW: I have always gone out of my way to praise the people who work for me. Recently I was in the bathroom and I overheard two of my employees making fun of the praise that I’d given the team earlier that day. NO MORE BON MOTS
Dear NO,
You know the old wedding saying, “Something [...]

How to offer criticism at work

Dear WW: Some things are really starting to get under my skin at work and I feel like I have to speak up. How can I increase the odds that they’ll hear what I say? READY TO BLOW
Dear Ready,
Timothy Lobdell taught me the key to offering criticism at work. Timothy isn’t a therapist or a [...]

How to deal with criticism at work

Dear WW: I just went out drinking with one of the people I manage and after a few beers he confided in me that most of the people in our department soft-pedal the feedback they give me. He said they’re afraid that if they seem too critical I’ll jump all over them. How can I [...]