How to Provide Better Feedback

It's not a mistake if you learn from it. But to learn something, feedback must be offered. Feedback is critical for team members to improve performance and ultimately achieve their professional goals. To make feedback a team habit, managers must create a culture of continuous improvement that values and encourages open communication. This starts with clear expectations. When team members understand what's being asked of them, they can work toward common goals and incorporate relevant and actionable feedback. To make feedback more meaningful, managers should use data to inform their conversations and performance evaluations to provide objective insights and help team members understand their progress. To ensure feedback is effective, managers must approach conversations with a growth mindset, focus on their team members’ strengths, and offer support and guidance in a safe and inclusive environment. Feedback conversations must also run two ways, where employees feel free to express their opinions and ideas without fear of judgment or reprisal. When team members feel supported and encouraged, they are more likely to be receptive to feedback and take action to improve their performance.