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Coaching Up — How To Give Feedback To Your Boss
Nothing’s a more potent productivity killer than a bad boss. Even good bosses sometimes hold erroneous views that hinder their team’s efficiency.
I know because I’m a boss myself and have royally screwed up some projects by not listening to my team.
Whether your boss is a total douche or just a normal human who has made a mistake, you need to let them know.
Giving your boss feedback is essential to the success of your company — and therefore your own success — but it can be hard to do. I get it. It’s intimidating. Maybe you fear retribution, or you’re just not sure if it’s appropriate to question your boss’s judgement.
Let me tell you unequivocally that acquiescence to your boss’s directives when you think you have a better idea is a hallmark of someone who won’t be realizing career advancement any time soon. However, another mark of mediocrity is questioning your boss reactively and without having thought through the situation.
Coaching up is an art. Doing it wrong can derail your career, but doing it right can put you on the fast track to your next promotion. Let’s examine some key considerations that will help you effectively send feedback up the ladder.
