The Right Way to Correct People - Reprimand in Private, Praise in Public
Updated: Sep 29
One of the hardest parts of being a supervisor isn’t just giving direction, it’s giving correction. And if you’re like me, you want to get it right. You want to hold people accountable without breaking trust. You want to fix what went wrong without shaming someone in front of their team. You want to protect morale, not crush it. Reprimand in private, praise in public is a simple rule that protects dignity.
That’s why this chapter is so important. If you're a new leader, learning how to correct someone the right way can be the difference between growing a strong team and watching it fall apart.
My Personal Rule: Correct in Private, Praise in Public
It’s something I live by.
When I need to address a mistake or problem, I pull the person aside. Always.
Even if I’m frustrated. Even if it’s obvious. I believe deeply in the principle to correct in private, because correcting someone in front of others can damage trust and morale. I don’t correct people in front of others unless there’s a safety issue or someone’s behavior is actively harmful in the moment. Otherwise, I handle it one-on-one.
But when someone does something right? That’s when I lean into the other half of the rule, to praise in public. I speak up in front of the team, sincerely and specifically. I’ve learned that visible recognition not only motivates the individual, but also sets a positive standard for the entire group.
This approach is backed up by the experts:
“Effective managers offer feedback in a way that encourages learning rather than defensiveness. Private correction protects psychological safety, which is essential for team success.”— Harvard Business Review, What Great Managers Do
Why Public Correction Backfires
Let’s talk about why correcting people in front of others is usually a bad idea:
It embarrasses them. Nobody wants their mistakes broadcast.
It creates fear. People start worrying about being called out rather than focusing on doing good work.
It breaks trust. Once someone feels humiliated, they’re less likely to bring you problems or take initiative.
It affects others. The rest of the team sees how you handle mistakes, and that shapes whether they feel safe being honest with you.
You don’t want a culture where people hide their errors just to protect themselves. That’s how bigger problems grow.
Reprimand in Private, Praise in Public: The Right Way to Address Issues
So what do you do instead? You follow a principle that protects dignity and builds trust: correct in private, praise in public. Here’s a practical guide to doing that well. Here’s a practical guide:
1. Pull Them Aside Quickly, But Calmly
Timing matters. You want to correct issues while they’re fresh, but never when emotions are high. Pull them into a private space. A quiet office. A hallway. Even a quick coffee break. Keep your tone even.
2. Use “I” Statements, Not “You” Blame
Try saying:
“I noticed we released something without documentation.”
“I’m concerned that this step was missed. Can we talk through what happened?”
Avoid:
“You didn’t do this right.”
“You’re always forgetting.”
Focus on the behavior, not the person. Your goal is to fix the issue, not shame the employee.
3. Listen to Understand
Ask open-ended questions. Let them explain. There may be a training gap, a miscommunication, or even a personal struggle. Listening builds trust and may reveal a deeper issue you can help solve.
4. Turn the Correction into a Coaching Moment
Make it a two-way conversation.
Ask:
“What do you think we can do to prevent this next time?”
“Do you feel like you have the right tools or support?”
Use the moment to build skills, not just reprimand.
5. Make the Lesson a Team-Wide Win (Without Blame)
Later, when appropriate, you can turn the issue into a group lesson, without naming names. For example:
“I’ve noticed that some recent releases skipped documentation. Let’s all make sure we’re following our release checklist.”
This reinforces expectations without singling anyone out.
As you said yourself: “We all need to remember to do this because… It’s then a lesson learned. We failed. Get up. Prevail.”
That’s how you build a learning culture, not a fearful one.
What If It’s a Group Problem?
Sometimes it’s not one person, it’s the whole team. That’s when you address the group using a “we” approach. Keep it constructive:
“We’ve been missing the mark on X. Let’s figure out where the breakdown is and fix it together.”
“Our last few reports were delayed. What’s getting in our way, and how can we adjust?”
Invite solutions. Make it a collaboration, not a lecture.
What If the Behavior Crosses a Line?
Not all corrections are soft. If someone is disrespectful, unethical, or endangering safety, you must address it firmly and immediately. Still privately, but with clear expectations and documentation.
This might sound like:
“That language is not acceptable here. We need to talk about how to handle disagreements respectfully.”
“This action goes against our code of conduct. I need to be clear that this cannot happen again.”
You can still be calm and kind while holding firm boundaries.
When Praise Matters Most
The opposite of correction is encouragement. Don’t wait until people mess up to talk to them. Catch them doing something right.
Say:
“Thanks for staying late to finish that.”
“I appreciate how you handled that customer.”
“You’ve really improved on your time estimates - great job.”
People who feel seen and appreciated are more likely to own their mistakes and grow from feedback.
Supportive Correction Is a Skill Worth Mastering
If you’re new to management, don’t expect to be perfect at this right away. It takes time. You’ll have moments where you say too much, too little, or wish you’d handled something differently.
Learn from those moments. Keep a lessons learned journal. Practice. Reflect. Get better each time.
The goal is to lead in a way that builds people up, even when correcting them.
What You Can Try Today
Practice giving “I” feedback instead of “you” statements.
Watch for a behavior to praise publicly this week.
If you need to correct someone, pull them aside and ask questions before giving directions.
Rewrite your last correction using better language. Practice makes progress.
Where to Go From Here
How you correct people affects their trust, their confidence, and your team culture. At Surviving Life Lessons, we believe in life survivors helping life strugglers. Our New Managers & Leadership Support Group is a place to practice hard conversations, and our Career Growth & Advancement Support Group can help you keep growing as a leader. You can also browse our Community Groups Catalog to find every group that fits where you are right now.
Next, read Setting Expectations Without Being a Jerk or How to Handle Tough Conversations as a Supervisor.
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About the Author:
Deborah Ann Martin is the founder of Surviving Life Lessons, a published author, poet, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of management experience across multiple industries. An MBA graduate, U.S. veteran, single mother, and rare cancer survivor, Deborah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her writing on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Her mission is to empower others with practical wisdom and real-life insight to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.
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