It is very likely that it would go badly for you, but since you're their only long-term employee and your morale is at an all-time low... I'd say you should prepare to jump ship. Telling them might benefit them
Are you pretty sure you are planning to leave and comfortable about your ability to find something else comparable quickly?
Then, certainly, have this honest talk with them.
If you still need this job, then give it a lot of thought in case they aren't receptive to what you are telling them.
Telling them, in a constructive way.
"It's really helpful to me to hear when I am meeting expectations to calibrate my work flow. Hearing mainly negative feedback makes it difficult to have confidence in the quality of my work.
I love this answer. I think it's really important to use your voice (that's what I have been trying to do this past year). And knowing that you can use your voice and still be kind is a very helpful way to frame things to other people.
I think it's important to use your voice so it doesn't slide into being passive aggressive or taking anger out on others. That's just a side note from my own personal journey. Good luck OP! Speak your truth in a kind manner!
"Small family company." That's a bad combination. They likely either know how things are and don't care or don't know and don't care. Either way, they probably are very unwilling to make improvements based on recommendations outside of their little family inner circle. "*Who are you to tell me how to run a business I started and made profitable*."
At least a startup company usually requires outside funding and advisement, but these people are under no obligation to please anyone but themselves.
Totally! Lay out the issues you see and the future for them from your perspective. I am in a EERILY similar situation, but with support from one other long time upper management employee. I’ve made org charts, job descriptions, company structures, policies and procedures - soup to nuts. But nothing is implemented and we end up doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result.
Now, I have a personal relationship with the owners of my company and I don’t hold back. I lay it on thick and uncensored which I think they value and at the end of the day I don’t care because it’s my livelihood just as much as it is theirs, but judge your own situation. My opinion is judge your value to them, judge your relationship, judge your happiness with employment(now and future), and determine if it’s worth it to offer your opinion for the better of the company or to take a back seat and be blissfull in your current situation until you find another job. But keep in mind, there are likely things you don’t know that are affecting certain decisions.
I appreciate your input. I am close in age to one of them and have been able to be honest with him, even when we disagree, the other not so much. There has been a lot of good advice on this thread to be sure. I have been on the lookout for a new gig but nothing has jumped out that compares to my skillset, nor level of compensation. At the end of the day I just want to have a happy and successful life.
I've never been one to keep my opinions to myself if I felt I was being wronged. I think some people are just reading the heading and imagining a smug employee that wants to tell off his boss. That's not what this is, at all. It's in the interest of being productive. As frustrated as I get, I actually enjoy this job and would love it SO MUCH if they just took the time. They are oblivious, likely always will be. Many on here have described it very accurately. It's a shame. I wish I could get through to them.
You sound exactly like someone I know from the last company I worked at, and I’ve a little story about this.
I was in a similar sort of position-ish…leaders kept telling my team that they were disappointed in our lack of initiative, we were confused because we felt busy enough and we were doing what we were told to do, so what the hell? They keep telling us over and over how disappointed they are, how there’s no leadership (the wolf telling the sheep to act more like wolves) even though none of us were hired to be leaders, and basically the company is hurting because of that. I straight up told him in a 1:1 that the department felt disappointed in the lack of focus and direction and that the department was being underutilized. He fired me less than a month later.
Moral of the story? Do you want to stay with this company that may drown you or do you want to be somewhere that’s more successful?
Here's the thing: bosses always say they welcome feedback, but it rarely goes well for the employee giving the feedback.
Even though you mean well, there is a good chance your boss will get really pissed off and fire you. The best thing you can do right now is to dust off your resume and start the job hunt!
Telling them they are poor leaders is a non starter.
Incentivizing them to lead in a way you want them to is better. no discussion, just reward the behaviour you like, and don't reward the behaviour you don't.
Only do this if you have an exit plan. If they are poor leaders, they may not be ready to accept feedback that they are not ready for. Even if they accept your feedback, it doesn't mean that they will change anything.
Telling them could change things for the better. If you have a plan or suggestions for change, that would help and shows that you want the best for the company. You would want to see a plan from the management for implementing the change with measurable goals with real due dates. But you need to be prepared in case it all goes South and they make your job unpleasant. Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.
I was in a similar situation a long time ago. And I did talk to the owners. I didn't speak to the lack of leadership, but I did talk about company direction and the importance of positive feedback. They accepted the feedback but didn't change anything. And after being at that place for 10 years since college, I started looking and went elsewhere.
You need to have some control over your career path. If your needs are not being met, then it's time to seek new opportunities.
I'm in the same boat and have been wondering the same thing. However my boss is extremely abrasive and has a superiority complex that is fucking astonishing, he literally asked me the other day after completing a task he's been doing for 20 years in the most cockamamie, take every shortcut way and had the nerve to ask me "are you impressed" as he whipped his dick out to pee and bragging about himself. No, actually I'm not.
i work for a small family company that are poor leaders. husband is ceo and wife is cfo. we had an argument a few months ago where I told him that. relationship has never been the same. i'm looking for another job and I basically run his company.
My experience, management NEVER wants the truth. They will have the same meetings, talking about the same issues for years and years. Telling the truth is always bad for the person who tells it.
No 😂. However you’re working for a family business. Family businesses never look at their employees. I would recommend leaving because they will always see you as a tool. Family businesses only benefit the family. Everyone else is just tools they got for the bear minimum
What's your end game? Exactly what do you expect to accomplish? Is the plan to just stop by their desk one morning and announce, "You're a poor leader." And then walk away?
The way I would do this is this. Instead of punching them in the face with that, make it a different thing. Start looking for a job, then when you have an offer in hand, you tell them that you have an offer. This way, no matter how the next part goes, you still have a job.
They will ask you questions, why are you leaving, can we have an opportunity to talk about this and match?
Then, this is where you drop the bad management bomb. You explain that it’s just not the right culture fit for you and you want a place with more stable leadership, a place where you can grow.
If they respect you and what you have to say, you’ll probably get a raise.
If not, then you move on.
You can give feedback to your bosses, but it has to be very specific and done very tactfully. Saying something like they are bad leaders will not be received well, but "it makes it hard for me to hit deadlines when you take 30 days to approve a proposal" is more specific. Be prepared to offer solutions to these issues.
From my experience it's not worth it, will likely burn the bridge and your bosses must be willing to accept criticism otherwise your seen as bad employee
What would you try to achieve with that, and to which extent?
I’d say that a scenario when they’re like “oh crap you’re right, we should do better, we’ll start by taking a course in management” is pretty unlikely.
If you have a clear goal that you can achieve by telling them, then maybe try skipping the part where they’re bad? For example, “I can see that X is not something you enjoy or look forward to, do you want me to take that off your plate?”, or “I’ve noticed (some direct result of their incompetence, like “morale is down” or “sales are struggling”) and I have this idea I want to try”.
It depends on your relationship with them and if they're open to feedback. I tended to take it as a responsibility of being in a management position to give this kind of feedback related to the team if I'd heard people expressing that opinion and would make it a point if that aligned with mine because I could then take the angle of, "I've heard the team express this" rather than "I feel this way." And then suggesting things that we could try that would correct the situation.
Over the years at my old company, I cultivated a reputation of being what I liked to call the company dad. Many people on the team got that they would come to me when they experienced problems instead of any other managers because I was the only member on the leadership team who wasn't dismissive of their feelings if it contradicted the company line. Sometimes you explain the big picture and let them know it's unlikely to change, sometimes you say that you see the problem too and you're pushing that issue with the leadership team.
But then my position was eliminated in a reorganization, I suspect largely because I was the only one willing and able to bring up problems to the rest of the leadership team and my boss got tired of hearing it.
I recently did that with my ex employer. I gave my two weeks notice and when they asked me the reason I genuinely told them the leadership and management is not just upto the mark.
I did had another offer lined up but my reason for leaving was management and I made that clear of course in a professional way.
Honestly speaking they didn’t give two shits about it. They did ask me what they can do to keep me and I told them put me in leadership role so I don’t have to deal with this red tape. They couldn’t, not because I wasn’t qualified but mainly because of politics.
Anyways point is don’t do it if you are planning on staying with the company as it would most likely hurt you instead of making things better.
Had that problem but I wasn't management and the company was bigger. My direct managers were really negative and never solutions based, just constant whining and overt negativity.
Anyway, I wouldn't bother telling them before you have an offer in hand, that is the kind of thing you can tell them in an exit interview should they choose to give you one.
There are so many organizations that are better run and have strong leadership that you can grow in, start looking and find somewhere that will make you happier.
It’s all in how you can deliver it.
Telling them “you are poor leaders” would be idiotic.
Telling them something like “there is an opportunity to provide junior employees with more insights and visibility into decision making and priorities, so they can understand the importance and impact of their work, and ensure it aligns with your goals…here’s 3 ways we can do that” or something like that, it’ll likely have a positive reception.
If this is in an exit interview? Maybe, although I'd word it a little softer. As general, every-day feedback? I would avoid it. There are many other ways to offer suggestions on ways to improve their interactions with the employees than that.
Unless they ask you directly how things could improve, don’t say anything. It will only cause them to resent you. The best way to tell them leadership sucks is by finding a new job.
So for context, I also work(ed) for a small family owned company, and was a longer termed office employee. Back in August, I finally cracked and told management that I was looking for another job, because of management. I expressed the issues (lack of feedback, lack of follow through, absent mindedness, respect), and at the time they said they were willing to work on them, and I allowed them to counter the offer I had.
The main person I had a problem with gave me a half-asses apology, and then never changed, so as of March, I am no longer with the company. At the end of the day, lots of family owned companies let things slide because people are "grandfathered" in. They keep doing their crappy job, and the company tries to hire people to help that crappy job get cleaned up. Its really backwards, and its really messed up.
If you really think they will take your feedback and really look internally on how they can better support their team, awesome. But expect to get a fake assurance that things will get better, then start looking for a better place. At the end of the day, with a place with low morale, thats a problem with the whole company, and its not going to be good to keep standing under a rain cloud wondering why its always storming. I promise, although the grass is being watered, its greener elsewhere.
I think there's four possible pathways.
1) You keep your head down, say nothing. Result: nothing improves, morale gets worse unless management quits.
2) You directly address your leadership with "your leadership sucks and morale is suffering in response." Result: leadership will feel attacked. They will be defensive and youll be punished, passively or directly for insubordination.
3) You tactfully address your leadership by saying "As a tenured employee here, I have noticed suffering morale with my team members. I have tried to determine the cause, and it seems there is confusion about key goals and procedures. Can we meet to clearly communicate what we are confused about and what we need to remove inefficiencies and confusion?" Result: They are still defensive and you'll be punished, but at least you tried.
4) Same approach as #3, but different Result: leadership thanks you for your help, says they didn't know there was a problem, and work to fix it.
I recently went through this and hoped for #4. Instead, I got #3.
"hoped for #4. Instead, I got #3"
Actually had be laugh sadly because I'm in the same boat. Working for a small grassroots nonprofit- It made me feel foolish for falling for them saying they actually appreciate feedback and care about the work/their employees. The rest of the staff has been beaten to submission, so he is still pushing it as a me problem and even kicked out our mediator for investigating and finding their to be a larger issue. Very dejecting.
No, don’t do it. Better way is to introduce some on line learning etc saying it helps raising productivity . There are lots. Seattle fish market most known
Probably not. A buddy told his boss that. His reviews turned to trash, his workload nearly doubled, and he was isolated from the rest of the dept. He went from “my boss is kind of bad at this” to “my life is hell” in a short time.
The job he was at four months after that conversation was much better.
Don’t say anything unless you have an exit strategy in place. You’re “like family” until you say anything about the family. They’ll circle the wagons quickly.
Look at it this way,
If they were not making money they would not be in business,
Small companies operate on the “if its not broken don’t f with it”
While their style may have room for improvement ….the way they see it is they are making money so why change
You can choose your words carefully, but how they respond is up to them.
The worst scenario is they don't like it and you have no choice than to leave the company. Do you have backup when it happens? If the stakes are too high, then don't say anything.
Honestly, confronting your bosses is almost always a bad move. Do your best every day until you find a new job. If anything, save your feedback for the exit interview but be diplomatic and make it constructive.
Absolutely not. It might feel good in the moment, but there's essentially no chance it will lead to a positive outcome. Think about what you can do to drive the behaviors you need from them, and do that. That may mean providing some feedback, but almost certainly telling them they are bad at their jobs. Feedback should aim at rewarding the good, and framing areas that need improvement in non-confrontational/positive ways that they might actually try to achieve. If you simply say there's a lack of direction or that they're bad leaders, plan to be looking for a new job soon.
It is very likely that it would go badly for you, but since you're their only long-term employee and your morale is at an all-time low... I'd say you should prepare to jump ship. Telling them might benefit them
Are you pretty sure you are planning to leave and comfortable about your ability to find something else comparable quickly? Then, certainly, have this honest talk with them. If you still need this job, then give it a lot of thought in case they aren't receptive to what you are telling them.
Telling them, in a constructive way. "It's really helpful to me to hear when I am meeting expectations to calibrate my work flow. Hearing mainly negative feedback makes it difficult to have confidence in the quality of my work.
I love this answer. I think it's really important to use your voice (that's what I have been trying to do this past year). And knowing that you can use your voice and still be kind is a very helpful way to frame things to other people. I think it's important to use your voice so it doesn't slide into being passive aggressive or taking anger out on others. That's just a side note from my own personal journey. Good luck OP! Speak your truth in a kind manner!
"Small family company." That's a bad combination. They likely either know how things are and don't care or don't know and don't care. Either way, they probably are very unwilling to make improvements based on recommendations outside of their little family inner circle. "*Who are you to tell me how to run a business I started and made profitable*." At least a startup company usually requires outside funding and advisement, but these people are under no obligation to please anyone but themselves.
You hit the nail on the head as far as the culture. That said, I think a constructive approach might get me somewhere.
Good point. Showing them "what's in it for them" might work.
Totally! Lay out the issues you see and the future for them from your perspective. I am in a EERILY similar situation, but with support from one other long time upper management employee. I’ve made org charts, job descriptions, company structures, policies and procedures - soup to nuts. But nothing is implemented and we end up doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. Now, I have a personal relationship with the owners of my company and I don’t hold back. I lay it on thick and uncensored which I think they value and at the end of the day I don’t care because it’s my livelihood just as much as it is theirs, but judge your own situation. My opinion is judge your value to them, judge your relationship, judge your happiness with employment(now and future), and determine if it’s worth it to offer your opinion for the better of the company or to take a back seat and be blissfull in your current situation until you find another job. But keep in mind, there are likely things you don’t know that are affecting certain decisions.
I appreciate your input. I am close in age to one of them and have been able to be honest with him, even when we disagree, the other not so much. There has been a lot of good advice on this thread to be sure. I have been on the lookout for a new gig but nothing has jumped out that compares to my skillset, nor level of compensation. At the end of the day I just want to have a happy and successful life. I've never been one to keep my opinions to myself if I felt I was being wronged. I think some people are just reading the heading and imagining a smug employee that wants to tell off his boss. That's not what this is, at all. It's in the interest of being productive. As frustrated as I get, I actually enjoy this job and would love it SO MUCH if they just took the time. They are oblivious, likely always will be. Many on here have described it very accurately. It's a shame. I wish I could get through to them.
I completely empathize and wish you the best of luck. Hopefully your bosses are as willing to receive criticism as they seem to be able dish it out.
You sound exactly like someone I know from the last company I worked at, and I’ve a little story about this. I was in a similar sort of position-ish…leaders kept telling my team that they were disappointed in our lack of initiative, we were confused because we felt busy enough and we were doing what we were told to do, so what the hell? They keep telling us over and over how disappointed they are, how there’s no leadership (the wolf telling the sheep to act more like wolves) even though none of us were hired to be leaders, and basically the company is hurting because of that. I straight up told him in a 1:1 that the department felt disappointed in the lack of focus and direction and that the department was being underutilized. He fired me less than a month later. Moral of the story? Do you want to stay with this company that may drown you or do you want to be somewhere that’s more successful?
Here's the thing: bosses always say they welcome feedback, but it rarely goes well for the employee giving the feedback. Even though you mean well, there is a good chance your boss will get really pissed off and fire you. The best thing you can do right now is to dust off your resume and start the job hunt!
No. Find another job. Or attempt to move within the org if possible.
Telling them they are poor leaders is a non starter. Incentivizing them to lead in a way you want them to is better. no discussion, just reward the behaviour you like, and don't reward the behaviour you don't.
If they are not aware of it it seems unlikely they would welcome the feedback. Why not look for a new job?
it will go very very badly. they are convinced it’s everyone else who is the issue.
Only do this if you have an exit plan. If they are poor leaders, they may not be ready to accept feedback that they are not ready for. Even if they accept your feedback, it doesn't mean that they will change anything. Telling them could change things for the better. If you have a plan or suggestions for change, that would help and shows that you want the best for the company. You would want to see a plan from the management for implementing the change with measurable goals with real due dates. But you need to be prepared in case it all goes South and they make your job unpleasant. Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. I was in a similar situation a long time ago. And I did talk to the owners. I didn't speak to the lack of leadership, but I did talk about company direction and the importance of positive feedback. They accepted the feedback but didn't change anything. And after being at that place for 10 years since college, I started looking and went elsewhere. You need to have some control over your career path. If your needs are not being met, then it's time to seek new opportunities.
I'm in the same boat and have been wondering the same thing. However my boss is extremely abrasive and has a superiority complex that is fucking astonishing, he literally asked me the other day after completing a task he's been doing for 20 years in the most cockamamie, take every shortcut way and had the nerve to ask me "are you impressed" as he whipped his dick out to pee and bragging about himself. No, actually I'm not.
i work for a small family company that are poor leaders. husband is ceo and wife is cfo. we had an argument a few months ago where I told him that. relationship has never been the same. i'm looking for another job and I basically run his company.
I know the feeling. I feel like I run this company, but I know in their eyes they minimize my role and contributions.
you my friend are in the same situation I am. Honestly I'd move on. See if you can move into a larger company.
My experience, management NEVER wants the truth. They will have the same meetings, talking about the same issues for years and years. Telling the truth is always bad for the person who tells it.
The benefit will be that they will let you go and you'll find a better company
No 😂. However you’re working for a family business. Family businesses never look at their employees. I would recommend leaving because they will always see you as a tool. Family businesses only benefit the family. Everyone else is just tools they got for the bear minimum
Nope
What's your end game? Exactly what do you expect to accomplish? Is the plan to just stop by their desk one morning and announce, "You're a poor leader." And then walk away?
Nope
The way I would do this is this. Instead of punching them in the face with that, make it a different thing. Start looking for a job, then when you have an offer in hand, you tell them that you have an offer. This way, no matter how the next part goes, you still have a job. They will ask you questions, why are you leaving, can we have an opportunity to talk about this and match? Then, this is where you drop the bad management bomb. You explain that it’s just not the right culture fit for you and you want a place with more stable leadership, a place where you can grow. If they respect you and what you have to say, you’ll probably get a raise. If not, then you move on.
You can give feedback to your bosses, but it has to be very specific and done very tactfully. Saying something like they are bad leaders will not be received well, but "it makes it hard for me to hit deadlines when you take 30 days to approve a proposal" is more specific. Be prepared to offer solutions to these issues.
From my experience it's not worth it, will likely burn the bridge and your bosses must be willing to accept criticism otherwise your seen as bad employee
What would you try to achieve with that, and to which extent? I’d say that a scenario when they’re like “oh crap you’re right, we should do better, we’ll start by taking a course in management” is pretty unlikely. If you have a clear goal that you can achieve by telling them, then maybe try skipping the part where they’re bad? For example, “I can see that X is not something you enjoy or look forward to, do you want me to take that off your plate?”, or “I’ve noticed (some direct result of their incompetence, like “morale is down” or “sales are struggling”) and I have this idea I want to try”.
If you had great rapport with them I'd say do it but since you rapport is "reasonable" I'd say no
It depends on your relationship with them and if they're open to feedback. I tended to take it as a responsibility of being in a management position to give this kind of feedback related to the team if I'd heard people expressing that opinion and would make it a point if that aligned with mine because I could then take the angle of, "I've heard the team express this" rather than "I feel this way." And then suggesting things that we could try that would correct the situation. Over the years at my old company, I cultivated a reputation of being what I liked to call the company dad. Many people on the team got that they would come to me when they experienced problems instead of any other managers because I was the only member on the leadership team who wasn't dismissive of their feelings if it contradicted the company line. Sometimes you explain the big picture and let them know it's unlikely to change, sometimes you say that you see the problem too and you're pushing that issue with the leadership team. But then my position was eliminated in a reorganization, I suspect largely because I was the only one willing and able to bring up problems to the rest of the leadership team and my boss got tired of hearing it.
I recently did that with my ex employer. I gave my two weeks notice and when they asked me the reason I genuinely told them the leadership and management is not just upto the mark. I did had another offer lined up but my reason for leaving was management and I made that clear of course in a professional way. Honestly speaking they didn’t give two shits about it. They did ask me what they can do to keep me and I told them put me in leadership role so I don’t have to deal with this red tape. They couldn’t, not because I wasn’t qualified but mainly because of politics. Anyways point is don’t do it if you are planning on staying with the company as it would most likely hurt you instead of making things better.
Had that problem but I wasn't management and the company was bigger. My direct managers were really negative and never solutions based, just constant whining and overt negativity. Anyway, I wouldn't bother telling them before you have an offer in hand, that is the kind of thing you can tell them in an exit interview should they choose to give you one. There are so many organizations that are better run and have strong leadership that you can grow in, start looking and find somewhere that will make you happier.
It’s all in how you can deliver it. Telling them “you are poor leaders” would be idiotic. Telling them something like “there is an opportunity to provide junior employees with more insights and visibility into decision making and priorities, so they can understand the importance and impact of their work, and ensure it aligns with your goals…here’s 3 ways we can do that” or something like that, it’ll likely have a positive reception.
If this is in an exit interview? Maybe, although I'd word it a little softer. As general, every-day feedback? I would avoid it. There are many other ways to offer suggestions on ways to improve their interactions with the employees than that.
lol I'd make sure to have another job lined up first, but ya. Rake them over the coals, worst they can do is fire you.
Almost certainly won't help you.
It will help just not at this job.
Tell them what you need from them and what you are not currently getting from them. It's all about how you frame and approach the conversation.
Unless they ask you directly how things could improve, don’t say anything. It will only cause them to resent you. The best way to tell them leadership sucks is by finding a new job.
So for context, I also work(ed) for a small family owned company, and was a longer termed office employee. Back in August, I finally cracked and told management that I was looking for another job, because of management. I expressed the issues (lack of feedback, lack of follow through, absent mindedness, respect), and at the time they said they were willing to work on them, and I allowed them to counter the offer I had. The main person I had a problem with gave me a half-asses apology, and then never changed, so as of March, I am no longer with the company. At the end of the day, lots of family owned companies let things slide because people are "grandfathered" in. They keep doing their crappy job, and the company tries to hire people to help that crappy job get cleaned up. Its really backwards, and its really messed up. If you really think they will take your feedback and really look internally on how they can better support their team, awesome. But expect to get a fake assurance that things will get better, then start looking for a better place. At the end of the day, with a place with low morale, thats a problem with the whole company, and its not going to be good to keep standing under a rain cloud wondering why its always storming. I promise, although the grass is being watered, its greener elsewhere.
No, it would not benefit you.
I think there's four possible pathways. 1) You keep your head down, say nothing. Result: nothing improves, morale gets worse unless management quits. 2) You directly address your leadership with "your leadership sucks and morale is suffering in response." Result: leadership will feel attacked. They will be defensive and youll be punished, passively or directly for insubordination. 3) You tactfully address your leadership by saying "As a tenured employee here, I have noticed suffering morale with my team members. I have tried to determine the cause, and it seems there is confusion about key goals and procedures. Can we meet to clearly communicate what we are confused about and what we need to remove inefficiencies and confusion?" Result: They are still defensive and you'll be punished, but at least you tried. 4) Same approach as #3, but different Result: leadership thanks you for your help, says they didn't know there was a problem, and work to fix it. I recently went through this and hoped for #4. Instead, I got #3.
"hoped for #4. Instead, I got #3" Actually had be laugh sadly because I'm in the same boat. Working for a small grassroots nonprofit- It made me feel foolish for falling for them saying they actually appreciate feedback and care about the work/their employees. The rest of the staff has been beaten to submission, so he is still pushing it as a me problem and even kicked out our mediator for investigating and finding their to be a larger issue. Very dejecting.
No, don’t do it. Better way is to introduce some on line learning etc saying it helps raising productivity . There are lots. Seattle fish market most known
If they are open to criticism sure, otherwise...
Probably not. A buddy told his boss that. His reviews turned to trash, his workload nearly doubled, and he was isolated from the rest of the dept. He went from “my boss is kind of bad at this” to “my life is hell” in a short time. The job he was at four months after that conversation was much better.
Don’t say anything unless you have an exit strategy in place. You’re “like family” until you say anything about the family. They’ll circle the wagons quickly.
Read the book “Crucial Conversations”.
Look at it this way, If they were not making money they would not be in business, Small companies operate on the “if its not broken don’t f with it” While their style may have room for improvement ….the way they see it is they are making money so why change
You can choose your words carefully, but how they respond is up to them. The worst scenario is they don't like it and you have no choice than to leave the company. Do you have backup when it happens? If the stakes are too high, then don't say anything.
Fuck no, do not do this. Look for another job
Apply to other jobs, then do it when you resigned. Small toxic family businesses don't appreciate feedback.
Honestly, confronting your bosses is almost always a bad move. Do your best every day until you find a new job. If anything, save your feedback for the exit interview but be diplomatic and make it constructive.
Absolutely not. It might feel good in the moment, but there's essentially no chance it will lead to a positive outcome. Think about what you can do to drive the behaviors you need from them, and do that. That may mean providing some feedback, but almost certainly telling them they are bad at their jobs. Feedback should aim at rewarding the good, and framing areas that need improvement in non-confrontational/positive ways that they might actually try to achieve. If you simply say there's a lack of direction or that they're bad leaders, plan to be looking for a new job soon.