Skills for New Managers, 2nd Edition

Chapter 7Dishing Out Criticism

It’s your first few weeks as manager, and you’re already confronting people problems. You’ve inherited an employee who seems predisposed to crack nasty jokes at meetings instead of communicating in a civil tone. Another staffer can’t stop complaining about the new software that you “forced everyone” to install. Finally, a loudmouth billing specialist stomps around all day radiating such anger that you’re concerned a fight will break out.

All these employees need constructive criticism from you. Yes, criticism. If that word sounds harsh, get used to it. A big part of your new job as manager is to let your workers know what they’re doing wrong and how they can improve.

Let’s clear up something right off the bat: you ...