Here's how you can give feedback to your boss without causing offense.

To give feedback to your boss without causing offense, start by choosing an appropriate time and setting for the conversation. Be respectful and use a positive tone. Focus on specific behaviors or situations rather than personal attributes. Use "I" statements to express how certain actions impact your work, such as "I feel more productive when..." or "I find it helpful when...". Offer constructive suggestions for improvement and be open to dialogue. Acknowledge their strengths and express appreciation for their efforts. This respectful and thoughtful approach helps ensure your feedback is well-received.

If you have some feedback that you think your boss will not receive favorably, there's always a positive spin to put out feedback so that it is expressed in a constructive manner. Write down what you're preparing to share, make sure there are positive aspects to share before you make your point. There will be aspects that your boss may resist and argue about, prepare to counter any issues you are aware of in a diplomatic and positive manner.

When providing feedback to managers, stakeholders, etc. it is important to provide in critique in a well-thought out & professional manner. Patience, timing, and setting are key. We also need to gain an understanding of all facts. For example, as BAs we may not know all the facts & circumstances of whether it's possible to address an issue at this time. And phrasing critiques more as ideas/considerations, rather than errors/problems might allow better acceptability. Highlighting your manager made a major mistake to a large group may not be good for your future career. A better technique is to send concerns to your manager only. If we cry "wolf" too often & too quickly - we won't be readily heard when true problems surface.

As they say, timing is of the essence. If your boss is bombarded with work and stressed under his workload, better to leave it to a time where your boss is relaxed and there is no pressure. This will enable your boss to think with clarity and not talk to you whilst distracted with other tasks.

This is absolutely essential. Treat people how you want to be treated. This works for your peers, junior staff and senior stakeholders. Respect needs to be maintained when sharing feedback and ideas. This will take you much further than trying to win an argument. You may be right, but you'll lose your respect. Sometimes, staying quiet despite being in the right will give you the respect you never even expected.

Vagueness can often lead to more confusion. Provide specific examples and instances of feedback. Provide clear reasons why something doesn't work and also suggest alternatives. It's easy to criticize, but not having an alternative or other ideas also doesn't help.

Try to frame your feedback using "I" statements to express your observations and feelings without sounding accusatory as it would sound if you use the "you" statements!

Do not give feedback to your boss regarding their behavior unless you trust them and they ask for it. If you do not trust them and/or they have not asked for feedback, you will likely cause offense no matter how well you prepare and deliver the feedback.

Here’s a way that someone once gave me feedback. I had completed the end of year appraisal and he’s time keeping, standard of work and personal interactions were poor. We spoke through all the points with examples and agreed a plan. It seemed to be like any other appraisal. He was positive… but he went out drinking and clearly had a change of heart. The next morning he gave me a book called “Fuck you Money. Firing your boss and hiring yourself”. Possibly one of the worse books for advice for going self employed. Apparently he needed less supervision and more authority. He’s still struggling.