Saturday January 5, 2013
10. Emotions
We as humans have emotions. Your boss may be in a bad mood after attending a long meeting or may be in a good mood, where at times he/she can be more open to contributions than others. So, when you have noticed any mistakes from your boss, find a moment when your boss is in a good mood and not too busy.
9. Giving compliments
Beginning with a compliment is a good way to start a difficult conversation before reviewing his/her mistakes.
8. Slipping in papers
When you are in a conference meeting with your boss it may be inappropriate to inform your boss directly. You could write a note on a small piece of paper and pass it to your boss to inform him/her about an issue he/she is unaware of.
7. Indirectly
Inform your boss about his/her mistakes indirectly, especially when it may just be a minor mistake like a spelling error or an incorrect name list in his/her email. You could correct them indirectly by saying “Sorry, but I was just wondering if we are using the American English spelling or the British English spelling in this email?” or “Who are we sending this email to?”
6. Be humble
Never ever use the tone that sounds like “I told you so” to your boss; instead, be humble and inform him/her politely. Speaking inappropriately will damage the relationship between you and your boss. As he/she is still your boss, it is right for you to be respectful.
5. Keep it private
When there is a major or minor mistake by your boss, always inform him/her privately so that it remains between the two of you. That way you avoid unnecessary offence and/or embarrassment for your boss.
4. Be kind
Correct your boss kindly whenever he/she makes a mistake. Say, “I am sorry but I think you have mistaken
... (the mistake)” and at the end of your sentence, always remember to say thank you boss.
3. Asking for permission
To avoid miscommunication with your boss, you could ask permission from your boss to provide your own opinions. For example, “is it alright if I share an opinion from my point of view with you the next time, as it may be helpful for us too?”
2. Having a solution
Whenever you notice a mistake, make sure you have a solution for it. When you inform your boss of the mistake, the positive side, which is the solution, will outweigh the negative side of his/her mistake. This helps to cover up the negative side of the conversation.
1. Making sure
It is important for you to be sure there really is a mistake made by your boss. Always double check before you consider it a mistake. If you are uncertain of the mistakes, ask your boss to clarify them in a polite manner with a little smile on your face when you consult him/her; this will help clear any potential misunderstanding.
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