Giving Effective Feedback at Any Time of the Year
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Preparation
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How is the feedback likely to affect the employee?
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What exact words will you use?
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How would you feel if someone used those words with you?
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How can you communicate to help maintain the employee’s self-esteem?
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How can you prioritize the feedback or limit it to a few salient points?
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Consider the timing of your comments. Are some things better left unsaid?
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Check your invitation
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Feedback is most effective when the employee has asked for it
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Encourage employees to ask for feedback themselves.
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Ask for feedback yourself on a regular basis
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Watch carefully
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How is your employee receiving the feedback? Watch for changes in expression and position.
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Are there changes in eye contact or sideways glances?
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Small doses
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Small doses are best soon after an event requiring feedback.
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Give positive feedback first to encourage the employee to change.
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Limit negative feedback to two or three prioritized items.
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End on a positive note – it lifts self-esteem.
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Be specific
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Describe what you have observed, not what you think might have happened.
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Focus on behavior, not personality.
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Help the employee envision change, e.g., “Here’s what it could be like if you make the envisioned changes…”
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Improve your evidence
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Remember your data reflects your prejudices and agendas
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Strive to build up a more complete picture of events
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Whenever possible, get third party evidence, e.g., from internal and/or external customers
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If the employee rejects your feedback, consider that the employee may be right.
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Do not become defensive – collect more information to support your case.
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Offer support
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Offer your support in making any changes you have discussed
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Focus on the employee’s strengths
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Leave the employee feeling that (s)he can rely on you.
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