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This item is filed under these categories:
Feedback Complaints Criticism Motivation

The other day, my manager walked into my work area and said she wanted to give me some feedback. She then took out a piece of paper and read off a list of things that I have done wrong over the past three months. This was not my formal evaluation, and I am very upset by this treatment. What should I do?



Feedback is essential for motivation, learning, and performance improvement, and it seems that feedback is quite necessary in your situation; however, it is your manager that needs it. The notion of taking out a laundry list of stale complaints and dumping them on an unsuspecting employee is not even mismanagement. It is non-management.

If this is how your manager provides feedback, there may well be many other gaps in her managerial skills. As a result, there will probably be several instances in which you can actually help educate her and help the department at large.

You should discuss the matter with your manager, but do not criticize her. Let her know that you are definitely interested in improving the quality and quantity of your work, and you appreciate any feedback that can help you meet this objective. In this regard, be sure to add that you would like to receive such feedback as close as possible to the behavior in question.

It is particularly important to meet with your manager as soon as possible. If you delay, then you are not providing prompt feedback for her questionable behavior.





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