Minding Business

Dear Alisa and Gina,

My co-worker’s boss asked me for a review of her (my co-worker’s) job performance. Honestly, she’s not all that great and I could easily give her boss an earful. But for one thing, I have to work with her, and two, she has a family, and I would hate for her to lose her job because of me.

Should I tell the truth, or just try to be positive? – Walking the Line

Many of us have had to review others – or receive feedback. It’s usually uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to be. My guess is that there may well be some space between the kind of comments that will make someone lose their job and being totally positive. I bet you can be thoughtful and considerate and come up with one or two suggestions for how your co-worker could function more productively and be better at her job. Focus on what could be better, not what she does “wrong.” ~ Alisa

If someone loses a job because you told the truth, it’s not because of you. Remember that. ~ GIna