Giving Feedback
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The importance of giving feedback to employees
Feedback plays a very important part in creating a high performing workplace culture. Not only does it give employees a sense of purpose, it makes individuals feel like they belong, are noticed and appreciated. You want to feel connected to the broader team and as such know you are working together to achieve the same goals. Even if the feedback is constructive in nature, it will allow employees to provoke a change to enable them to become a more effective worker and a better team player.
Benefits
Effective feedback has long lasting benefits on employees and the workplace, including:
Improved employee engagement
Strengthening working relationships
Provokes change and allows for growth
Gives employees a sense of purpose and imbeds team work
Clarifies expectations and outcomes
Builds confidence and
Encourages a culture in which employees nurture and support one another.
Examples of good feedback
Like all things – practice makes perfect and it is not different when giving employees feedback. Feedback should usually be sporadic and regular. Obviously for more serious issues where feedback is needed, a more formal meeting is recommended, but generally feedback should be given more often than not.
Below are some tips to help you provide effective feedback:
Feedback is best given shortly after you have made your observation (keep it relevant).
Make sure you select the right time and place – it may not always be suitable to give feedback in a public space.
Be specific and use relevant examples – make sure you are clear and give the right level of detail and provide clear suggestions on how things can improve (if applicable).
Use the right type of language when giving feedback. In-stead of “I don’t think” use words like “Maybe you could try”. Don’t use negative language that can make an employee feel insecure or get defensive.
Feedback should be about behaviour and not personality.