Saying what needs to be said is not always an easy task. Nevertheless, if you champion the cause of being candid and fair in your organization, you need to provide constructive criticism in order to ascertain long-term success of the concerned employee and the company. In order for this to happen you need to make a good start. This is best done at a meeting offsite, away from work and the daily routine. This will not only ensure confidentiality but also help both of you to view an issue from a fresh perspective.

Preparation is as important as communication. It's better if the employee is prepared beforehand and this can be done if you are having a formal performance review. People get on the defensive if they are taken by surprise. Make it a dialogue where the employee can be honest with you about your management skills and about what could be done to solve the problem.

Get more tips on how you can provide constructive criticism in a comfortable manner here.