das Kritikgespräch — the criticism talk. Haufe Akademie, a German provider of management training, defines it as a structured talk between a manager and a team member. It is prompted by concrete misconduct or by results that fall short.
The advice for the opening is brief. Nenne kurz und sachlich den Anlass des Gesprächs. State the reason for the talk briefly and factually. The criticism itself should be concrete and about behavior. The article’s example is not Du bist unzuverlässig, you are unreliable, but In den letzten zwei Wochen sind drei Berichte verspätet abgegeben worden. In the last two weeks, three reports were handed in late.