The Power of Feedback
Feedback is a powerful tool in leadership. It can propel your team forward or halt progress. The way you deliver feedback can determine the trajectory of your project and the morale of your team.
Why This Matters
About halfway through this “Aim Higher” podcast, Tammi Spayde—one of my usual expert panelists—made a point about feedback that I thought was both inspired, and rarely emphasized. She said that you can phrase feedback in a way that points someone on your team to what is needed for success, rather than focusing on negative or critical elements.
So, for example. Let’s imagine a project manager who does great work but is routinely taking longer to complete tasks than is ideal. The work is really exceptional, but the lack of attention to deadlines is starting to impact other groups.
You could say:
You really need to work on your time management and scheduling skills. Your projects are often delivered late, and that needs to change.
or…
We really need you to help us move things forward more quickly. Others in the organization rely on getting your team’s contribution as part of their work.
That shifts the feedback in two important ways. First, it focuses on goals, which is always a good idea. Second, it emphasizes that the manager’s input and work product are important. When feedback is always phrased as “you need to do this better,” people can come away feeling really discouraged, even if their work is truly exemplary in other ways.
The panel had some other great thoughts on what you can do to incorporate excellent feedback loops into your organization’s structure. And how to be better at giving and accepting feedback yourself—an essential skill for any leader.
Don’t miss out on this conversation if you aim to enhance your leadership skills and cultivate a thriving team environment. Tune in to learn how to give feedback that not only addresses issues but also champions success.
Image Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya
