“To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace”
-Doug Conant, CEO of Campbell’s Soup
Receiving employee feedback and providing timely feedback is an imperative ingredient for any organization to help achieve its goals and milestones. The stronger employee engagement and professional relationships, the more the organization flourishes and accomplishes.
WHAT IS EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
Feedback is exchanging any information about an event or an action among your teammates. In other words, any evaluative information-negative or positive opinions shared between employer and employee is known as feedback. If done correctly, it establishes cordial relationships with peers and increases the efficiency level of employees, which leads to the effective administration of the company.
Indeed, employee feedback is a two-way mechanism, one may give and receive feedback to improve and enhance the working environment.
According to Forbes, four out of ten workers are actively disengaged when they get little or no feedback. This proves how important employee feedback is to shaping a people-centric organization.
It is very crucial to provide employees with constructive criticism or motivation from time to time. By making effective feedback a part of your company culture, you will achieve increased productivity, a better awareness of your business along with business solutions to your problems that may not be established otherwise. It also helps in increasing mental satisfaction and creates a sense of security among employees.
Top 5 reasons that make employee feedback essential.
Improvement in employee performance:
Constructive feedback from superiors can help employees to gain more clarity in their respective job performances. Without a doubt, this creates a better understanding among employees of areas that need to be improved and where they can emerge victorious.
“Feedback, when given well, should not alienate the receiver of the feedback, but should motivate them to perform better.” As quoted by an M.O Manager of a Fortune 500 Company.
Creates an environment of openness and trust:
Feedback makes the employees feel they are being heard and appreciated. Leaders can build mutual trust within the organization and it helps to change the way employees interact and discuss issues in the team. The process of giving and receiving feedback builds acceptance and fosters mutual respect among teammates.
Empowers employees:
With a two-way communication and feedback loop, employees feel valued. They feel appreciated, which empowers them. In addition, they tend to perform better and exceed their expectations. Furthermore, research shows – 69% of employees say they would work harder if they know that the efforts that they put in were being recognized through feedback. Also, they tend to perform 4.6 times better if they are made to feel recognized and given credit for their performances.
Beneficial for growth of the organization:
The evolution of every organization depends on its environment and the engagement of employees. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities and smooth conversation in the team bring efficiency to the workplace. Managers who received feedback on their strengths had an 8.9% greater profitability rate than those who did not receive appropriate feedback.
Builds a strong culture in the organization:
Strong company culture helps to retain the existing employees and attract new employees. Also, it helps to maintain a healthy balance of pushing the team members beyond their comfort zone and allowing them to succeed at what they do well.
Moreover, meaningful feedback leads to a healthy workspace and potentially high-performing companies. Employee feedback helps to address issues and gives the employees a chance to learn and grow. It ensures that everything is working according to the needs of the organization.
World-class business leader Elon Musk thinks that “It’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”
How You Can Ace in Giving Employee Feedback?
While giving feedback, specificity is significant. Specific feedback helps to measure growth and guide future behaviour. Everyone has room to absorb and glean, but we can only do so if we are aware of those opportunities. Clearly, this is where feedback helps the most There are different ways in which we can categorize feedback. Two of the highly recommended types of employee feedback are-
1) Reinforcing feedback or positive feedback
2) Redirecting feedback or constructive feedback
REINFORCING FEEDBACK:
Reinforcing positive feedback is very significant and much more impactful than people consider it to be. Also, positive feedback refers to acknowledging the efforts of the employees and encouraging them to work harder. Appreciation is the key to a healthy working environment. It keeps the team members motivated and more at ease. They tend to work more efficiently when they feel acknowledged.
Examples of positive feedback:
Express appreciation for employees
It is important to acknowledge team members when they succeed. Using employee feedback to recognize employees’ achievements and business results is a good way to celebrate employee hard work.
Example:
- “The way you managed and convinced Mr. Jhunjhunwala was commendable. You are surely an asset to our organization.”
- “I am happy with your speed and appreciate the attention to detail you put into creating the code for the Water-jug algorithm”
BONUS TIPS
1. Focus on employee’s good traits
Tell the employees what they are particularly good at and the areas where their work is satisfactory. Without a doubt, this aids in building the employees’ confidence and knowing what qualities they are bringing to the firm.
Example:
- “I liked the way you tackled the breach between Bipasha and Reva. The way you calmed the whole fight by dialogue was incredible”
2. Mention the actions you would like to see become habits
92% of employees believe that recognition increases their likelihood of taking that action again.
Example:
- You have managed the finances for the Ekatra project very well. I would like to see you do the same in all our future projects.”
REDIRECTING FEEDBACK:
Redirecting feedback creates an immense opportunity for improvement when viewed in the right light. The goal of constructive criticism is to support your employee’s professional development rather than discouraging them.
Hence, positive and constructive employee feedback works hand in hand to address the issues of the team.
Examples of constructive feedback:
Need to focus on the performance
When any employee is constantly failing to perform his/her given tasks, they should be notified. Be specific while writing such feedback and specify which areas in their performance need a fix.
Example:
- “I have noticed that you were not able to meet your deadlines and targets in the July sprint. I want you to know that your team has your back and you can ask for my help anytime. Hope you will step up your game and turn this situation around.”
Great feedback responders message effectively and ask for feedback regularly.
Pulling feedback establishes you to be a continual learner and puts the power in your hands. A skilful feedback process will assist an organization in resolving its most challenging situations.
Efficient employee experience platforms like Qaizenx help you track employee feedback and measure employee engagement and sentiments.
Speak to our experts to learn more about 360-degree feedback and create a harmonious workplace for your employees.
