How do you inspire your team members to become the best they can be? Provide feedback.
Feedback is important because we all have blind spots that we can’t see in ourselves. I call these, “you have spinach in your teeth,” “your slip is showing,” or “your fly is open,” type situations. If you knew any of these things, you would do something about it, right? Furthermore, if you didn’t know, you probably would want a trusted person to give you feedback or you might walk around like that all day!
Former NYC mayor Ed Koch’s catch-phrase was “How’m I doing?” He recognized it was important for him to hear what the citizens of NYC thought of his performance. Giving feedback at work means telling people how they’re doing, especially in their blind spot areas. Most people would rather hear feedback on their performance from a trusted person who has their best interests in mind, than continue behavior that may impact their entire career.
| “Feedback is the breakfast of champions” ~ Ken Blanchard, author and management expert |
Here are a few tips for improving the way you provide feedback for your team members:
- Reserve Judgment and Criticism – Think of a mirror or tape recorder. Both give us feedback in a non-judgmental way. Feedback is similar to holding a mirror in front of the team member and saying “here is what I’m seeing.”
- Delivered with Supportive Intent – When others say what they see (feedback), in a supportive, caring way we feel that they’re letting us know because they want us to be the best we can be. Start by thinking positive thoughts about your team member and your voice tone and body language will follow.
- Give Specifics – Be specific including the what, when, and where of the situation so team members can truly understand the behavior you are describing.
- Overlook Defensiveness – A common initial reaction is defensiveness. Usually this comes from being embarrassed that someone had to tell him or her about a blind spot. Keep focused on the fact that you want your team member to be the best they can be.
The Manager as Coach workshop is an interactive and effective seminar that can be delivered to your management team.