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No one likes to criticise, but sometimes it is necessary and there is a certain art in doing it correctly. Ask yourself these questions to see if you know how to give constructive criticism.

• Do you know all the facts before you begin to criticise?
• Do you direct your criticism at the task, rather than the person?
• Do you deliver your critique calmly to keep the stress level down?
• Do you steer clear of sarcasm?
• Do you avoid long prefaces and small talk before criticising to prevent the other party from becoming nervous?
• Do you always criticise in private?
• Do you emphasize that nobody's perfect, but that a person is more likely to benefit from mistakes if they're called to his or her attention?
• Do you avoid phrasing things as absolutes ("you'll never get this right" or "you've completely ruined this project") to minimise the resentment? 
• Do you stay positive by emphasizing the benefits of doing something the right way?
• Do you end a criticism session by saying something encouraging and friendly?

Keep this list in mind the next time you have to criticise an employee and avoid the possibility of your comments causing more harm than good.