Hey dumb-ass manager! Why are you so afraid of giving your employees honest, helpful, instructional feedback? Did you have a bad daddy? Did you ride the bench on your soccer team and never get into the game? Did no one ever give you any positive instruction?

Think about this for a moment: Finding and hiring quality, motivated and hard working people is super tough. It takes a lot of time, energy and money. And yes, it would be great if every employee asked for coaching and honest feedback. But hey, they aren’t the ones making the bigger paycheck and in the leadership role. So try a few things before you jump to can your the next guy who makes a mistake.

Start with a simple, basic relationship. Try to know your people just a little and care a bit more about them than you do today.

Second, look for ways to highlight the things that they do well and give them some bit of encouragement. Yes, I do understand that they get PAID to do what they do. But it never hurts to hear that you are doing a good job.

Third, assume that the people you are working with actually want to get better and would appreciate some training, pointers and some insights from someone who has done their job before.

Fourth, don’t beat around the bush. Tactfully give honest, straightforward feedback and instruction. You aren’t working with little kids. Treat your employees like adults who can handle the truth.

And lastly, after you have given some instruction, give an adequate amount of time for your people to grow before you get in such a hurry to boot them out the door.

Be willing to try a new model. Roll up your sleeves and become a coach. Come out from behind the desk and the employee review form and start working shoulder-to-shoulder with your team. Show them how it’s done. Give them new techniques. Honor their human desires to be better and to grow. Shouts of encouragement and high-fives go a long way in sports for a reason. Try a few of them at work.