Direct report criticising my work

[ElTortilla]

I line manage someone who is difficult.

Today he criticised work I have produced. The work is fine and is getting results so nothing I'm worried about but nonetheless this attitude from the person I line manage is getting me down. How can I handle this?

Are any of their criticisms justified or is it just their opinion i.e. it is not the way they would do it?

Their criticisms aren't justified. The work I've produced gets great results and has been used as part of further work we deliver.

What are the actual criticisms?

They might not be justified to you, even if it's getting great results. But are they justified to anyone else? What is the criticism?

Is he criticising you publicly, in front of others?

If so then it isn't acceptable, but constructive criticism made privately and politely are fine, imo.

Is it a Gen Z 😒

Do you think that, as a man, he resents having a female boss? Could he even have designs on you job?

Is he providing constructive criticism, including how he might do things differently?

Is it possible you are "too close" to the work and taking it personally that someone has come in with a fresh perspective?

Just because it is fit for purpose in your eyes, doesn't necessarily mean it couldn't be done better.

Depends if he did it in a cranky disparaging way or not

Assuming not - do you think his suggestion is better, worse or the same ( why) and it's a springboard for discussion/training

I think it depends what you mean by 'criticise'.

If it's along the lines of 'our T&Cs (which happened to have been written by you) don't cover X scenario, which while rare could leave us open to Y' then YABU.

If it's 'I think those T&Cs you wrote aren't fit for purpose' then I would ask for detail and think about whether he's justified. If not justified, I would nevertheless wait for another example of tactlessness or arrogance (whatever is motivating him) which didn't involve my own work before I challenged it.

If it's 'Honestly, these T&Cs are useless!' then YANBU to ask him to work on his communication skills (but you stil need to reflect on whether he's right!)

Maybe they think they are being helpful in some way? Or impressing you bu showing initiative/challenging you a little bit?

If he's only making these comments to you, and they are constructive, i.e.saying what he would do differently, I don't really see an issue. People should be encouraged to give feedback - you don't have to use it.

If he is overstepping, @ElTortilla - and it sounds like he may well be - then you need to stop him whenever he starts. Maybe say “Herbert, I’ll stop you there. This is working well, and doesn’t need criticising. Now - can you get on with X task, please”. Be polite but firm, and if he pushes back, maybe you need to be firmer - “Herbert - this is inappropriate. Please stop critiquing my work - upper management/the clients are happy with it.”

Then put him in his place. Politely but firmly so he knows that unwarranted criticism is not acceptable.

It depends:

1. suggesting new ideas, initiatives and/or ways of improving existing processes is fine for a team to do

1. actively trying to undermine you by implying you don't know how to do your job is not...

So basically if you really think this person is trying to be malicious, rather than positively contribute to the team, then set up a one to one meeting and address the issues: remind them that you are their manager and you decide how the work is going to be done and that you will not tolerate being undermined in meetings or behind the scene.