Top 10 Ways To Correct Your Boss When He Makes A Mistake

10. Emotions

As humans, we have emotions, and we have to be aware of this as we interact with our superiors. Your boss may be in a bad mood after attending a long meeting, or he/she may be stressed because of urgent matters to attend to. If you have noticed a mistake he/she has made, be sensitive to emotions that they may be feeling at that point in time. Is it really the best thing to correct your boss about another matter at 11.30am, when they may be preparing for a very large meeting at noon that is unrelated to the matter? Pick the best time and place to communicate this correction.

9. Giving compliments

Beginning with a compliment is a good way to start a difficult conversation before reviewing his/her mistakes.

8. Slipping in papers

When you are in a conference meeting with your boss it may be inappropriate to inform your boss directly. You could write a note on a small piece of paper and pass it to your boss to inform him/her about an issue he/she is unaware of.

7. Indirectly

Inform your boss about his/her mistakes indirectly, especially when it may just be a minor mistake like a spelling error or an incorrect name list in his/her email. You could correct them indirectly by saying “Sorry, but I was just wondering if we are using the American English spelling or the British English spelling in this email?” or “Who are we sending this email to?”

Never ever use the tone that sounds like “I told you so” to your boss; instead, be humble and inform him/her politely. Speaking inappropriately will damage the relationship between you and your boss. As he/she is still your boss, it is right for you to be respectful.

5. Keep it private

When there is a major or minor mistake by your boss, always inform him/her privately so that it remains between the two of you. That way you avoid unnecessary offence and/or embarrassment for your boss.

4. Be kind

Correct your boss kindly whenever he/she makes a mistake. Say, “I am sorry but I think you have mistaken

… (the mistake)” and at the end of your sentence, always remember to say thank you boss.

3. Asking for permission

To avoid miscommunication with your boss, you could ask permission from your boss to provide your own opinions. For example, “is it alright if I share an opinion from my point of view with you the next time, as it may be helpful for us too?”

2. Having a solution

Whenever you notice a mistake, make sure you have a solution for it. When you inform your boss of the mistake, the positive side, which is the solution, will outweigh the negative side of his/her mistake. This helps to cover up the negative side of the conversation.

1. Making sure

It is important for you to be sure there really is a mistake made by your boss. Always double check before you consider it a mistake. If you are uncertain of the mistakes, ask your boss to clarify them in a polite manner with a little smile on your face when you consult him/her; this will help clear any potential misunderstanding.

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