What Should I Say?

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You are having a meeting with an employee and you have to give them feedback.  You have a moment when you are unsure if what you are about to say will offend them and that makes you hesitate because you don’t want to say the wrong thing, 

Has this scenario ever happened to you?  Have you been hesitant to provide feedback to someone because you didn’t know if it was the politically correct thing to do?

We can assure you that you are not alone.

Political correctness can be described as the avoidance of actions or language that can be considered offensive to or not inclusive of others, particularly groups who may be considered disadvantaged. 

Some people argue that political correctness in the workplace has created a culture where people are afraid to be honest and direct, however being politically correct is about being respectful of others and about creating an environment where people will not feel judged because of their gender or ethnicity or any other social or cultural identifiers.  Employees who feel included will perform at a higher level. 

So how do we ensure that wanting to be politically correct does not get in the way of productivity or high performance?  We have a few tips:

-When giving feedback, focus on the task and not the person.

-Balance your feedback – ensure that the employee knows what they need to change but also include what they are doing well. 

-Ensure you are listening to your employees to hear and understand them without bias.  Encourage open and respectful dialogue.

-Invest in training that will better prepare your employees for working in diverse environments. 

-If you are hesitant about addressing a situation, consult your HR department for assistance.

We hope that we gave you some ideas on how to create an inclusive and high performing culture at work.