Giving feedback: an essential leadership skill

Feedback is an essential tool for more effective and closer communication in the workplace. Providing effective feedback helps managers build stronger, more motivated teams that are focused on both personal and collective success. A manager who knows how to communicate will not only lead his or her team to achieve goals, but will also provide feedback that contributes to the team's growth and development.

 

What is feedback?

Feedback is a communication process that involves sharing observations, comments and evaluations to help someone understand how they are performing and what they can do to improve. Giving feedback also means recognising when someone has done a good job and celebrating team achievements.

These comments give individuals the opportunity to learn and grow by identifying their strengths and areas for improvement.

 

Why is it important for teams?

• Improve performance: By receiving an evaluation of their work, employees have the opportunity to improve.
• Clarify expectations: Providing feedback helps to set and clarify expectations for an employee's work.
• Increase motivation and engagement: Positive recognition empowers and motivates the team. It also helps them feel more valued and committed to their work and the organisation.
• Problem prevention: Identifying problems early can help prevent more serious situations in the future. Addressing problems promptly makes them easier to correct and minimises the impact of mistakes.
• Strengthen relationships: Feedback encourages open and transparent communication between employees and organisations, contributing to a healthy working environment.

 

How do you give feedback to employees?

Some steps to follow when giving feedback are

• Be specific: Rather than making general comments, be specific and provide details with concrete examples so that the recipient understands exactly what you mean.
• Be timely: Provide feedback as close as possible to the moment the situation occurred.
• Maintain a positive tone: Use positive language and avoid negative criticism. It is important to recognise successes and strengths.
• Listen actively: Feedback should not be a one-way conversation. Make sure you listen to the recipient's questions and answers.
• Encourage self-evaluation: Ask the person to evaluate their own performance before you give your comments. This will help you understand their perspective in advance and tailor your feedback accordingly.
• Set goals: Work together to set realistic goals for improvement.

Feedback is a communication skill that can be developed with practice. Our tip: Tailoring your approach to the situation and the person will help make the process more effective and positive.