Constructive criticism should be part of every manager's toolkit. Without it, expect teams to operate at suboptimal levels with decreasing success. Well-delivered criticism can boost morale, and improve performance. Poorly delivered criticism will alienate employees and create resentment throughout the team.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Many managers tend to plan poorly when delivering constructive criticism. Good planning involves careful consideration of which aspects of an employee's behavior or work needs to be improved. Where possible, observe employees before meeting with them. Always gather feedback from their peers and others to ensure the issues and opportunities are clear and specific examples are present. Focus on points that apply to the current project or deadline to tackle time-sensitive issues first.