What Are Some Best Practices For Providing Constructive Feedback To Employees?

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What is constructive feedback? If you're a working adult, you've likely been on the receiving end of this valuable vocational instrument. If you're already employed in a management position, you may have been responsible for providing it. Generally, constructive feedback is designed to redirect undesirable behavior into more acceptable behavior for the company. It may also relate to meeting production or customer acquisition objectives, addressing workplace behavior and performance, or addressing employee apparel or attitude.
There's no limitation to implementing constructive criticism in the workplace. However, to be effective and problem-solving, it must be dispensed professionally and in a manner intended to be beneficial instead of discouraging.

Giving Constructive Feedback

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As someone in a managerial capacity, you must comprehend the complexities of constructive feedback. To provide constructive feedback, you must impart it in an educational manner. It must call out unacceptable practices in a way that's neither impolite nor arrogant and must be presented so your employee doesn't feel belittled or abused.

For some managers, the process comes intuitively. These leaders have an aptitude for communicating with others, and we've all encountered them. They can administer the harshest reprimands and make them sound like compliments. They're adept at getting their point across but conveying it in such a manner that it causes no harsh feelings. These managers have mastered the art of giving feedback constructively. For others, this ability must be practiced and learned. Understanding your leadership style can help enhance your communication with colleagues. Otherwise, constructive feedback simply becomes criticism.

Are you comfortable settling down with team members to give actionable advice? If not, don't despair. There are a million other administrators out there who share your discomfort. What's essential is to keep things on a positive note and to present your information in a manner that's not condemning. Earning a degree in leadership or management can help you surmount this impediment by teaching you key elements in employee interactions.

Establish Trust

Establishing the trust of your team members requires more than simply saying "trust me." In reality, it's an ongoing, day-to-day practice of being trustworthy. Prove to employees that you're available to listen when they come to you with a problem, and be prompt in taking action. Be equitable and consistent in managing your personnel, and above all, be discreet. Be mindful of your diction as you interact with your team, and be aware of your body language. If you make an error, own it. After all, nobody is flawless, not a department manager or even a corporate vice president.

Balance the Positive and the Negative

Even the most challenging employee has things they do well. For instance, maybe someone late to work three days out of the week has never missed a project deadline. Or perhaps your grumpiest employee is also a software prodigy capable of troubleshooting any problem. Though you may still be required to address their shortcomings, make sure also to point out those times they've gone above and beyond for the team. 

Balancing negative feedback with positive feedback is one way to mitigate the impact when asking someone to address a poor habit. As you suggest areas for improvement, praise them for the things they do well. Approaching the topic in this manner helps to encourage a growth mindset, which is a valuable asset for any employee and the company for which they work.

Observe, Don't Interpret

It's simple to draw conclusions based on what you see and hear but resist the temptation. Take individuals at face value, and learn to listen to what they're saying instead of what they may be thinking. Try to see where they're coming from and respect their perspective. Keep their remarks in context, and present your observations as just that -- objective observations. If you discover how to approach team members objectively, you'll be more likely to have a positive outcome.

Be Specific

It's also essential to avoid being vague when giving actionable advice. Clear direction is vital because ambiguous or perplexing direction is a considerable source of workplace conflict. Make sure your team member knows precisely what you expect in terms of advancement. The SBI procedure is optimal for this type of situation.

SBI is an acronym for Situation, Behavior, and Impact. Using this method, you would promptly address the situation with the employee, characterize the behavior you've observed, and elucidate the impact the behavior has on you, on others, or the workplace. The SBI method was devised by the Center for Creative Leadership and is research-driven and demonstrated effective.

Talk Face-to-Face

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Personal interaction is the most effective method to give constructive feedback, meaning sitting down with your employees is necessary. Even if your conference must be held remotely, you must still address your team directly. Meeting face-to-face not only starves the workplace rumor mill but also lets your employees know they're essential. It provides them a voice and allows them to convey their side of the situation. Face-to-face interactions help to improve morale, and they enable you to dole out constructive criticism in a delicate yet effective manner.

Don't Make it Personal

Staying objective is a part of moderating your emotions. Try to separate the employees from their actions and resist the urge to pigeonhole employees as "good" or "bad." Everyone has terrible days. Everyone interprets regulations differently and stems from their unique context and experience. 

When you sit down with someone to offer feedback, consider these factors. Refrain from presuming they're intentionally disobeying the rules or underperforming. Instead, communicate with them to ascertain the reasoning behind their recent actions. You may be astonished to discover the whole situation originates from a basic miscommunication or misunderstanding. Be respectful, and never let the situation disintegrate into a personal assault on values or performance.

Provide Feedback Consistently

Consistency is essential, too. So, be careful to reinforce your words with actions. Address your team frequently, incorporating feedback into your meetings. Stress the importance of continued improvement for all and follow up on problems promptly. Make sure expectations are clear, and be transparent in your efforts at improvement.

Be Timely

While addressing problems when you see them is beneficial, there may be better times or places to do so. For instance, singling out errors in front of other employees is not a smart method to give constructive criticism. However, addressing issues as soon as feasible is essential so that errors aren't repeated. In this situation, it may be best to have your team member in for a private discussion later in the day. You might also decide to hold a team meeting that addresses the issue without mentioning names or making any one employee feel singled out.

How to Give Feedback to Peers

What if you're a team member who must offer feedback to a coworker? Outside the manager-to-employee relationship, learning how to give feedback to colleagues can be exceedingly challenging. You may not believe you have the right to call out another employee, and they may share your opinion. However, if you have your eye on a leadership role, there may be instances when you have to surmount that sensation of discomfort to assist someone else. 

Going straight to a manager may be construed as tattling, which can cause hostility and wounded emotions. Therefore, it's usually preferable to address the person directly. Present your feedback in the manner of offering help and guidance. Be honest, respectful, and professional in your advice, and enable your colleagues to explain why they're doing something differently.

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Answered 4 months ago Ola	 Hansen	Ola Hansen