Are You a Bad Boss?

Women as bosses often tend to confuse criticism with personal insults. Perhaps this is because women are more open about discussing emotional issues with each other than men are. It happened to me when I worked under a creative director in a multinational advertising agency.

My boss would often bring up issues in my personal life which she laughed at and I was proud of. I think much of it came from the fact that we often shared our lives with each other. So one of the most important things you could do to avoid negative criticism at work is keep your distance!

And when you are the boss (as I was later on), make sure that not only do you avoid criticizing your subordinates in front of others, you also avoid criticism unless you have a better alternative. For instance, when you say a certain copy line is not working well, you should be able to suggest one that does.

But that's only after the writer has given it a serious shot himself. After all, your subordinates look up to you and expect you to have the answers and a competent boss is always an inspiration!

How to be a Good Boss

Here are some rules you could follow that will help you give objective and constructive criticism that will bring the best out of your subordinates:

First get the facts straight and make sure the criticism is deserved.

Criticise the goof up, not the person.

Don't get emotional and go all over the place. Keep to the point.

Don't use bad language.

Don't threaten to fire the person.

Empathize before you criticize. Tell them what they do right before you tell them what they do wrong.

Concentrate on the solution, not on blaming.

Criticize in private.

Give a specific example of the goof up and then follow it up by a practical suggestion.

Give your feedback immediately after the goof up.

Focus on the behaviour he or she can change.

Look the person in the eye.

Only give one criticism at one time.

Follow these rules and you'll be the best-loved boss your subordinates will ever know. After all, today's corporate success is not so much about how much you pay, but how much you care.