Giving Feedback to Your Boss: From Direct Reports to Managers

You've thought about it on your drive home from work. Should you give feedback to your bossduring tomorrow's one-on-one meeting? It potentially presents a precarious situation. Usually your manager gives you feedback, providing guidance from manager to direct report.

Role reversal occurs when you give feedback to your boss. It may feel like walking a tightrope, depending on the contents of your discussion, and well, depending on the nature of your boss. So grab your balancing pole, and let's talk about an easy model to remember when giving feedback to your boss.

What... Prepare a good opening. A good opening starts in the form of a question such as "may I offer a suggestion" or "may I speak candidly?" This places the ball in your boss's court and allows the boss to say, "sure, go ahead." If an open door policy exists, then you should feel comfortable about having this discussion.

When...Pick an appropriate time. This means not selecting a time when your boss is in the middle of a project, so you may have to schedule a meeting. If the timing becomes convenient, performance reviews may be a good opportunity. Regardless of the time, do not attempt this conversation if you are upset or mad. If you go into the discussion upset, you may utter something you'll regret. Step away, cool off and then come back and have a discussion.

Where...If your office is designed by cubicles, consider having a discussion behind closed doors. Sound travels through cubicle walls.

Why...This is the subject of your feedback session and why you are having this challenging conversation. Begin with a positive and then angle it into the boss's opportunity. For example, Mr. Boss, you have the natural ability to motivate others, but it hurt me when you said X or this procedure feels like it is compromising Y.

How...Giving feedback to your boss is sometimes half the conversation. Propose an alternative way of doing something if a certain action becomes an issue. For instance, Mr. Boss, if we streamline these production reports, this change may increase morale and still achieve the same goals. Offering an alternative way of doing something shows you thought about a solution, and your boss won't perceive you as a complainer. After the discussion, your manager should gain a takeaway from the meeting and thank you for the feedback.