Once I read somewhere, “People are not bad, it’s their behaviour that make them look bad”. So whenever you have to criticize someone, criticize them for their behaviour and not them personally. Same rule goes at the workplace also. It is colleagues/employees behaviour that could be wrong, annoying or damaging for the workplace. It is never them. Abhishek is a lazy employee can also be said, “Abshishek is a good employee who is not motivated enough” or “He is a good boy who has done a bad thing”.

This way you are not getting personal. You are just pointing point certain behaviours which can be changed/improved and will be helpful for both employee as well as organization.

Without getting personal you can point out/criticize your colleagues in their:

• Communication skill
• Attitude
• Time management
• Motivation level
• Enthusiasm and energy level
• Apparel sense or etiquette
• Professional goal
• Technical skills
• Knowledge/Understanding/following of company policy
• Inter-personal skill
• Efficiency/productivity

There is no need to call your colleague lazy, ignorant, good for nothing, liars, rascal etc. They many not be good in their work. They may need training, motivation, direction, counselling, confidence and your co-operation. So try not to tell exactly what you feel about them. Getting personal may be harmful for you, like you may lose your respect amongst peers, perhaps lose your job too. It is a good idea to encourage the not-so-good peers, motivate them to come over their deficiency and perform well.

So change the environment and not the people.