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How to Give Constructive Feedback in The Workplace

Employees want feedback. They do!

The statistics below indicate that employees highly value feedback.

• 75% of employees believe that feedback is valuable. (Snap Surveys)
• 65% of employees said that they wanted more feedback. (OfficeVibe)
• Companies that conduct regular feedback experience 14.9% lower turnover rates. (Gallup)

Providing feedback is essential for the growth and productivity of employees in the workplace. As a people leader, you can significantly improve the performance of your team through regular, personalised feedback.

Feedback can be referred to as any information exchanged between leaders and their teams regarding their performance, skills, or capacity to perform a task. Feedback can be positive or negative. Positive feedback commends and reinforces good behaviours, while negative feedback highlights areas that need improvement. When done tactfully, feedback can foster a robust and harmonious work environment.

A Common Challenge: Balancing Recognition and Critique

Leaders often neglect to acknowledge their teams’ hard work after completing tasks or hastily criticizing subpar performance without offering guidance for improvement. Leaders must recognise that feedback is a critical component of building a productive and resilient team. Therefore, failing to give feedback in the workplace can negatively affect the success of the organisation.

How to Provide Constructive Feedback

Timeliness

Deliver feedback as close to the event as possible. This ensures that the situation is fresh in the recipient’s mind and allows immediate correction or reinforcement.

Give actionable feedback

Vague feedback like “good job” or “you need to improve” doesn’t provide any actionable information for the recipient. Instead, pinpoint the behaviour or outcome you appreciate or want to address.

Constructive feedback example:

Instead of: “Nice work with the client!”

Try this: “I appreciate how you handled the client’s concerns during the meeting.”

Balance

Constructive feedback should highlight both strengths and areas for improvement. Emphasize what the individual is doing well and provide specific suggestions for growth. Maintain a positive and supportive tone to foster a growth mindset.

Constructive feedback example:

Instead of: “You need to rework this proposal”

Try: “Great job on the financials, but more research is needed for the SWOT analysis.”

Open Communication

Encourage a two-way dialogue. Allow the recipient to share their perspective and feelings. This not only makes them feel heard but can also provide valuable insights into the situation.

Be Objective

Focus on factual information and avoid basing your feedback on subjective feelings and emotions, especially if it’s negative feedback.

Benefits of Feedback in the Workplace

1. Improved Performance: Regular feedback helps employees understand their strengths and areas that need development. This knowledge empowers them to make necessary adjustments and excel in their roles.
2. Enhanced Communication: Effective feedback fosters open communication and trust within teams. When employees feel comfortable receiving feedback, they are more likely to seek help, share ideas, and collaborate effectively.
3. Professional Development: Feedback serves as a roadmap for career growth. Employees can use it to set goals, track progress, and develop new skills, ultimately advancing their careers.
4. Increased Employee Engagement: Feeling valued and heard through feedback can boost employee morale and job satisfaction. Engaged employees are more committed to their work and the organisation’s success.
5. Conflict Resolution: Constructive feedback can help address issues before they escalate into larger conflicts. By addressing concerns promptly and professionally, workplace relationships remain healthy and productive.

In conclusion, feedback must come from a place of caring and altruism, and should be intended to help the receiver improve or develop. Leaders need to understand that providing impactful feedback in the workplace is essential for the growth and development of their team members, both personally and professionally. By adhering to the principles of being objective, timely, and balanced, feedback becomes a powerful catalyst for fostering growth and improvement within the organisation.