Employee Gives New Boss Real "Constructive" Feedback About Her Work, Gets Accused Of Bullying By Coworkers

"I think I was answering her request for feedback in good faith"

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• October 8, 2023

We're all individuals, and organizations are people. Despite the fact that we all make mistakes, we can all improve.

The ability to live with more purpose, clarity, and passion should be available to all people anywhere in the world. But until your people feel comfortable providing input, we won't be able to maximize everyone's potential.

For many people, giving constructive criticism is nerve-wracking. However, receiving feedback is equally essential for succeeding at work.

It enables individuals to adapt and develop into new jobs, abilities, and skills. It fosters stronger, more fruitful bonds between coworkers.

Not only does it aid in achieving objectives and generating corporate value, but communication involves both parties. Feedback discussions are sometimes fraught with fear because they're thought to be unfavorable criticism.

Sadly, feedback has a reputation for being either good or nasty. However, there are actually many different ways to use feedback in interpersonal and professional interactions.

Not all of them fit into one group or another. And every kind of criticism has the potential to improve a person, a group, or a workplace environment.

It could be simpler to provide some employee feedback than others, but the OP in today's story didn't hold back. At a team meeting, OP's new boss asked for feedback on her performance and anything she should start or stop.

The OP gave her constructive criticism, which made others angry with her.

The OP begins her story but not without the headline

She’s still in watch and learn mode and is shadowing us and asking our opinions on things

OP thought the message had got through and she would try to act on the feedback

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

I publicly told my new boss something I thought she wasn’t very good at and she was upset by it.

OP's boss was the one who asked for the feedback in front of everybody

The OP shouldn't have undermined her credibility in front of other committees

It's better to give constructive fredbacks than being a yes type of machine

OP's feedback might have been received in a one or one or one meeting

From a Redditor who has done the exact thing the OP did

It happens. I’ve done it myself, but clearing the air with honestly turned the ship and I am glad I did it! Doesn’t even matter how it’s received, you’ve cleared your conscience. But in my experience it turns into a mutual respect, which is great for everyone, including the company.

OP's colleagues didn't necessarily appreciate what was being done

For this Redditor, it was too soon for the OP to say such words

OP's concerned that the delivery might have been a little different than was intended

She's good with people and this Redditor says the OP's wrong

There's feedback and then, there's critique

Every employee will probably need to provide constructive criticism at some point in their career. Despite the very genuine dread of receiving criticism, it's crucial to seize opportunities for helpful criticism.

After all, it might mean the difference between a squad that struggles and one that succeeds. The OP was declared not the AH, and you can drop your own verdict in the comments section below.

Maryjane