Sometimes you have to say it anyway.
“I know you know this, but…” is a great way to deescalate constructive criticism, to empower the receiver of feedback, and to engender camaraderie.
“I know you know this, but…”
…our tuning isn’t so good in this section.
…we can’t talk on mics during rehearsal.
…you need to practice this on your own time.
…that wasn’t our best performance.
…I didn’t give you the best cue that time as your conductor.
As leaders, we can increase or decrease the distance between us and those we’re leading. Our rhetoric is a big way to affect that distance.
(Sometimes, the person you’re talking to doesn’t actually know the thing you’re going to say. Sometimes they’re oblivious and deeply need your feedback. It’s still worth making generous assumptions.)