How to give feedback without offending people?

Question

Especially when asked to provide feedback to older and superior people in the company's hierarchy.

Answer 1

Diplomacy!
. Process of conducting activities with another with tact in order to bring about a good relationship. An executive who is diplomatic in dealings with clients, suppliers, and employees is careful to say the right things at the right time to avoid ill will.

Answer 2

Focus on the work, not on the people. State the facts. Give your opinions, but state that they are your opinions. Besides just providing a description of the problems, provide a viable suggestion for approaching a solution to the issues as well.

Bosses don't like to hear about problems, but they'll listen if you identify a problem and provide a possible solution.

Oh, and be ready to have them completely ignore you. Oftentimes, when people ask for feedback they are doing it because they have to, not because they really want your feedback. If they ignore you, don't fret about it. Just be happy that they even asked in the first place. Stay positive. Good luck!

Answer 3

thats a bit vague but if you have doubts about a subject, for example a new process, the best thing to do is ask questions about how it will affect your job and show them you are paying attention. and if you have any specific observations point them out like "that will add 25% to the processing time,.Have we allowed for that?"


You are just analysing it for any operational concerns that may affect your role in it, because as far as you know this thing IS GOING TO HAPPEN. the decision has probably been made at the top.

You are not critiquing it as good or bad That would be professional suicide Just be complete but concise in your descriptions. If you see problems try to incorporate solutions into your appraisal and use the opportunity to impress any new people you meet with your co-operation and expertise

Answer 4

Always start with a positive and expand on that to begin with. Then if you have any negative feedback, be sure you have very precise, documented reasons to back you up. It is always impressive to show you've done the background work and looked at different resolutions to problems so offer those as well. Be precise, professional and positive and things will go well for you.

Answer 5

MOSTLY - use 'I" messages.

as in " I found the section on the company's future to be contradictory."

Make all comments as objective as possible.

OTHERS
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avoid phrases like
-- you always say that
- you always bend the truth
- you are out of date/style/fashion
-this is stupid ( be very precise about what is wrong)


You can almost always say some version of " I am concerned that some of the audience/readers will misinterpret this to mean X."

It is always safe to say 'this word will be ambiguous, given the range of audience age"
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SOME people will be offended no matter what you say - so just be professional, not insulting, factual.

Answer 6

Hmmm... just be polite and respectful, and if they sitll get offended, stand your ground. Your best bet is to come off as helpful in a respectful way and not critical and "okay, you're doing this and this wrong, and you really need to do this to improve". Believe it or not, there's a HUGE difference between the two. It's all in semantics and tone of voice.

Answer 7

A paradox usually works great--stating the truth, but denying it as untrue. E.g., a supervisor of mine was giving me a lot of pressure inspite of my good success. (I was older and more expensive to the organization.) I finally said, "If I didn't know better, it feels like an age-old tradition of the educational system when older workers are costing too much money in benefits, etc. Such as putting on more pressure, critical regardess of results; inc'd work load, etc." If this hits true, they immediately become defensive and a little angry with their denials! Then, reiterate that you know that isn't true!!! It worked for me, but you have to be confident to pull it off! Good Luck!

Answer 8

Offending people.......If you are right and the other guy is wrong...........Then who is the offended person? ....The one who is right or the one (in a higher position)that is wrong? Who should be offended?......It's really nothing to worry about if ever thing happens like this in this company it won't be in business long anyway. But if I'm right I'm offended. Be afraid of offending and be offended.

Answer 9

Start with positives and say that they can do better and show how without saying that their way is wrong. Also, don't tell them what to do, if possible just give suggestions and let them come up with the answers themselves.

Answer 10

when you work for a company and are asked to give feedback, "always" give good feedback, never say anything offensive or suggest change (if you want to continue working there).