
How to communicate with your boss about a slip he made?
Communicate with your boss about the mistake he had made with all frankness and honesty to build loyalty in the bond of employer and employee.
When you figure out that a mistake from your employer is going to create a problem for your organisation, a client, or another department, it is appropriate for you to speak up to him. However, Communicate with your boss, they made an error can be tricky.
The last thing you wish to do is to embarrass them or come off as either being insubordinate or a know-it-all. It means the best approach for addressing a manager’s mistake is to take a light touch. You don’t want to spoil your relationship and put your job in jeopardy. So, ensure to consider the right angle before approaching your boss. Seven simple rules given below can help you approach your boss and convince him.
How to Communicate with your boss that he made a mistake?
- Do your research
Gather more information to make your point. Write your thoughts out first and double-check all the facts. Remember that managers often have more up-to-date or comprehensive information at their disposal. So make sure that an error has actually been made before speaking up to him.
- Pick your battles
Consider whether the correction is worth potentially crossing swords over or not. Ask yourself: Will it make your employer look stupid or out of touch? Will it prove harmful to a client or the organisation? If it’s a minor error (e.g. a small detail they’ve misquoted) it’s the best to let it slide.
Approach your boss, politely. Start on a positive note, gently explain your concerns. Together, the two of you can work towards a solution that will benefit your company.
- Consider your motive
Are you rocking the boat just to become a contrarian, or are you overly nitpicky? Will bringing this matter to your boss’s attention really create positive change for your colleagues, clients, and the organization, or is it an extra gesture just to “set the facts straight?” If there isn’t any compelling reason to challenge your boss, don’t.
- Time your comments wisely
Picking the proper time to discuss matters with your employer is vital, especially if you require their full attention and anticipate having an awkward conversation. Avoid approaching your boss out of the blue. If they are preoccupied or busy with other matters, or in the middle of group discussions, there are fewer chances for them having a better reaction to the concern.
- Speak privately
Do not confront your boss in front of coworkers, clients, or in a public place where the potential can get overheard. It can embarrass them. Instead, schedule time for a private discussion and have a safe forum ready in which the discussion can be held.
- Make helpful suggestions
Never tell the employer they have “made a mistake” or are “wrong,” and don’t make demands or try to give instructions. Instead, politely comment helpful ideas, insights, and problem-solving suggestions that can guide them to arrive at similar conclusions, and offer like-minded ways for addressing the areas of concern. Rather than simply point out mistakes, provide smart ideas for implementing corrections. Your ultimate goal should be to spark constructive dialogue around any topic.
- Practice the art of acceptance
Employers won’t always agree with you, and you won’t ever be able to change their mind. If they decide it’s time to end the discussion and move on, you should accept their decision and move on gracefully.
Whatever the result of your discussions, if your issues were important enough that you chose to raise them with your employer, you may wish to document the concern, just to avoid any problems that can arise in future. But bosses are human, too: if you politely approach him with insights that they may have made a slip, and given a graceful opportunity to rectify it, they often will.