Question

Imagine that whenever your boss asks for feedback, she/he defensively argues with anyone who offers criticism, so people have stopped offering feedback. You decide to talk to your boss about this and hope to keep the conversation relaxed and professional. Explain how you would approach the conversation and list some points you would want to make when you discuss this issue.

Answer 1

The situation is quite critical as the boss does not like criticism of any kind. Therefore, I would start the conversation with the boss about the things I really appreciate about him. It would allow me to reach in a position that if I criticize him about something he would either listen to me carefully or tell me the reason why he gets angry. It would be the right time for me to listen to his perception and then offer my opinion to him. I would make sure that I do it not in the very first meeting but in the subsequent meetings when he starts to have a bonding with me.

There are the following points I would keep in mind:

1. I would be as professional as I could be. The conversation should not go personal.

2. I would hear him at length; his opinion and perception.

3. I would make sure we have one to one meetings. It is something that should not be discussed when other people are around otherwise it would make him uncomfortable.

4. The meeting would start with praise and would end at praise so that he has positive feelings about the discussion we had.