|
Home / Business / Management
Feedback is a Gift
By:Martin Haworth
Feedback is a gift – when done properly. The very word strikes fear into the hearts of millions of workers every day, because the only time they get feedback is when it is rolled by a manager who wants to criticise – yet put a bit of positive spin on it.
Ever been there? I know I have and it sets off that internal groan, because you know just what’s coming.
Feedback is a gift – remember that at the start of this piece? It can be a gift where used constructively, consistently and with goodwill. It is available to all of us, all the time, whether we are a manager or an employee with a manager. It is available two-way and when used that way is a valuable tool for developing everyone in your organisation, department or team, however big you are, however small.
In fact personal self-feedback can be the ‘holy grail’ of development, where we get to be thoroughly honest with ourselves about how we are doing (and accepting self-praise when it goes well).
Back to others – how do we get feedback to work so that people really embrace it rather than run away from it?
Here are ten little tips to help you get the best from Feedback:-
1.Be Consistent!
Be consistent and give regularly – be a model for others to observe and then do themselves.
2.Receive Feedback Yourself
By personally asking for and receiving feedback you will receive much more you can use positively than to your detriment.
3.Value the Potential
We get too little truth in our lives as managers. People are nice to us face-to-face and then talk about us behind our backs. Feedback opens up the loop.
4.It’s About What, Not Who
Feedback is about the behaviour, and not the individual. It’s saying that you do a great job and this time what happened in detail. What did you ‘do’, not who are you.
5.Lose the Criticism
Always offer feedback and then, first ask them ‘What went well?’, and once you have given them time for that, ‘What might you try differently next time?’ And after they’ve said their bit, do it for them yourself. They will appreciate recognising their own performance first.
6.Look to the Future
Growth opportunities present when they see the possibilities and usually, they see them for themselves first. Thus ownership of a new solution in the future gives hope and excitement and evolution of performance.
7.Be Unconditionally Constructive
By avoiding negatives and ‘but’ you will engage rather than put off. Your people will be with you rather than against.
8.Deliver Promptly
The best time is in the moment, at the time or as close to is as possible. If you give your feedback at the first opportunity, you will find it is much better received.
9.Open Your Questions
Ask discovery questions with ease - there is no falseness, nor discomfort. Indeed the use of this questioning skill binds the relationships they are so good at making. The 6 Wise Men do this best Who, What, When, Where, How and Why.
10.Provide Support
Whatever the learning from this regular and consistent feedback you are using (two-way), there may be the need for ongoing support and coaching – be sure to offer it.
Feedback a much underestimated and much maligned business opportunity, ready and waiting for you right now.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: feedback, coaching, team building, team, leadership, management, development, learning, opportunities
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
© 2005-6 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com
|
|
| Top Management Articles |
- 1). Nine Reasons Why Mentoring Matters to You By : Kevin
There are many roles we play or hats we wear in our lives. We are professionals, family members, brothers, sisters, co-workers, leaders, coaches, friends, parents, and neighbors to name just a few. While you may not wear all of the hats I listed, you can likely add several more that I left out! Many of these roles are a given – we don’t have much choice of having the role – they come with being a responsible adult.
|
- 2). Project Management - Design and Development Projects By : Michael Russell
There’s no getting away from it, design and development projects are a nightmare to manage successfully, particularly the development of software. Nonetheless, in these days of customers requiring ever increasing functionality and ever more sophisticated technology, they are sometimes necessary.
Your company almost certainly has procedures in place such as Make or Buy (do you design/build the item yourselves or do you sub-contract) and Design to Cost (you’ve estimated how much it will cost, now make sure that it doesn’t run over budget.
|
- 3). Defining Supply Chain Management By : James Hunt
Companies that deal with inventory will have to have some sort of system in place to effectively manage the supply chain that exists for any type of sales. A system of inventory needs to be as smooth running as possible so that a company is able to fulfill all its orders in a timely manner...
|
- 4). Customer Advisory Boards By : Paul Lemberg
Customer Advisory Boards are a great source of information about your market and your business. Their advice is more valuable than any management consultant's. They provide real world counsel on what you are doing right, what you are doing wrong, and most important -how to stay competitive. After all, they're the customer. They're the one's who buy your stuff.
|
- 5). 6 Ways to Maximize Learning By : Steve Kaye
Here's how to gain the most from training events.
1) Know what you want
Before the workshop, set learning goals for yourself. What do you want to learn? How can this program help you? What would make you feel that your time was well spent?
2) Ask for what you want
As the program unfolds, ask questions that guide the presentation toward the information that you need.
|
- 6). Save Face, Time, and Money on Your Next IT Project By : Leslie Whinery
How many times have you been involved in a project where a newly-released piece of software required an immediate enhancement because the right people were not “in the loop”? This is an example of how poor communication costs money and damages the reputation of an Information Technology (IT) Team.
Well-managed communication can increase the rates of success on your IT projects by improving relations between you and your customers and decreasing the odds of hasty last-minute enhancements, thus saving face, saving time, and saving money.
|
- 7). Decision Making "Pub" By : Claude Jollet
This article will help transform your decision making process into “PUB” - Pure Unadulterated Bliss!
Think I'm exaggerating? Well ... maybe just a little!:-) But, see for yourself anyway! You might be in for a pleasant surprise. The way I make decisions in complex situations has – at least – the merit of turning decision making into an effective, satisfying, even reassuring experience.
|
- 8). The CEO is 10,000 feet above the fire By : Larry Galler
How many times have you heard a business owner or manager say that they spend their workday “always sweating at putting out fires?” I hear it all the time.
Think of a raging forest fire. There are sweaty fire fighters working hard, just yards in front of the flames. There is one person in a helicopter 10,000 feet above the flames. Those on the ground and the one in the helicopter are all looking at the same fire but they have totally different views.
|
- 9). CPAs vs. Non-Certified Accountants - Clearing Up The Confusion By : John Day
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone asked me what the difference is between CPAs and non-certified accountants. Essentially, non-certified accountants can simply hang up their shingle and open their doors for business. There are no educational requirements. If they want to prepare taxes, most states require a certain number of qualified hours of study plus continuing education hours each year.
|
- 10). Many Kinds Of Banks - Many Kinds Of Accounts By : Sintilia Miecevole
Sometimes looking into opening an account or accounts in banks can be confusing. There are so many types of banks and bank accounts! Which banks are right for you to open anaccount in? Which types of accounts do you need to open? Below are some simple explanations of several types of banks and the accounts you can open. One will surely be right for you!
There are many kinds of banks:
1.
|
| New Management Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 7). Double Your Profits with Business Coaching By : Kris Koonar
Business as we all know, involves risk. Since starting up your own business means starting a new chapter of your life, you may fail to recognize a few shortcomings in your business plans, as you are too engrossed and feel that things are going great.
|
- 8). Modern Business Strategies and Tactics By : Kris Koonar
Modern business strategies and tactics often concentrate on developing international brands and products, but before developing any product it is important to assess the potential worldwide demand.
|
- 9). Avoiding Poor Time Management By : ian Williamson
Around midnight students across the country become record setting authors by finishing essays, and study groups for tests in unheard of time. This unnerving process often leads to below average results. Many people wonder why this is happening, the answer is poor time management.
|
|
|
|
|
