You’ve probably heard about (or participated in) the ongoing debate about performance reviews. A number of studies and articles have made pro and con cases, with the debate almost always centered around two questions: Should we have them? Are they valuable?
But these questions aren’t really getting to the heart of the issue. If you really want a process that squarely focuses on employee development, I suggest we begin to ask a different question of both employees and employers.
How important is feedback to you?
I like feedback – you might say I crave it. I ask for it regularly and use it to help develop myself. I seek it at work, home and on the road with clients. I want to know what they think is effective and what is not working so well. I always believe there is room for improvement and I truly do not take it personally. One of my top 5 Clifton Strengthsfinder strengths is Learner – that plays a key role in my desire for feedback. Learners constantly want to focus on becoming better.
4 key ingredients
There are 4 key ingredients to successful, constructive feedback:
- Timeliness
- Relevancy
- Honesty
- A focus on development, not judgement
If you’re asking for feedback, what do you want to know – and more importantly, what will you do with the information once you have it?
Take me, for example. I seek feedback in all different aspects of my life – it does not vary by the person from whom I’m seeking it. I want character-strengthening feedback, because if I can improve upon that, it will make me better across the board.
That's why I want to know:
- How do I make people feel?
- Am I communicating in a way that I can be understood?
- Do I build trust?
- How do I manage conflict?
- In our relationship, what could I do better?
Those who know me, realize how important this is to me. I am grateful you take the time to regularly give me timely, honest and relevant feedback.
Your turn
I would love to know: Do you value feedback? How do you seek it in your life, from your colleagues, families or clients? What questions do you ask?
Join the Front and Centered Community
It's where life and leadership intersect. Get once-weekly updates.
Subscribe:
Comments