A Lot is Two Words … and other things your employees might not tell you

Confession:  I’m a magazine junky.  All kinds of magazines.  A favorite is one whose tag line is “Life Made Simpler.” Recently I was reading their “Modern Manners” advice column, and I got concerned.

A woman asked whether she should tell her manager that he’s constantly misusing the phrase “in light of“ since it’s making him look foolish at best/stupid at worst. Neither of which he is. The advisor tells the woman not to say anything to her manager. Her reasoning? “He won’t appreciate it.”

Really?  Her manager wants to continue to look bad?  Wouldn’t you want to know?  I certainly would. In fact, in the days before spell check, I actually got some similar feedback from one of my direct reports.  “Sherri,” he said, ‘a lot’ is two words not one.  I know that good writing is important to you, so I thought you’d want to know.” It was direct, to the point. I was grateful, and I never forgot it.

Another reason this article bothered me was it means that people are getting bad advice from pop culture experts.  And since this is the case, you as a manager need to redouble your efforts to ask your direct reports for feedback. Of all kinds.  Big and small.  

So go ahead, take a deep breath, and ask for some.  And when you get it, accept it, say thank you, and, when makes it sense, change.

In the process, you’ll be creating a culture where feedback is the norm, not the exception – and that’s good for everyone.