Managing employees is not an easy task and can often result in miscommunications, misperceptions, disappointment and frustration. However, there are ways to provide effective employee feedback that will encourage discussion, clear communication and promote positive change.
Effective Employee Feedback – Should be Based on Facts
Facts are important because they can’t be argued. They can be discussed, clarified and elaborated but they cannot be disputed.
- A performance discussion based on judgmental or opinionated statements can be distracting and demoralizing to an employee.
- A manager will quickly lose credibility when there are no facts to back up an opinionated or biased performance discussion.
- A performance discussion based on facts rather than an opinion is the most professional and effective way to improve performance and promote positive change.
Factual information can help a manager effectively and professionally facilitate a feedback session.
Effective Employee Feedback – The Problem with Opinions
Effective employee feedback begins with a presentation of the facts. Factual information is an objective reality and is based primarily on direct evidence, specific observables and actual events.
A expressed opinion can negatively impact and sidetrack the flow of a feedback session simply because a manager is expressing a judgment of the employee.
- An opinion is statement or expression based on emotion, feeling or personal belief.
- An opinion can be based on factual information but is ultimately expressed as an assumption.
- An opinion focuses on an individual’s personal view rather than the specific facts.
When a manager provides feedback based on an opinion an employee will most likely respond in a defensive manner. Emotion from the manager will be matched with emotion from the employee and will result in an ineffective and poorly managed performance discussion.
Signs that a Manager is Expressing a Personal Opinion
- The manager uses interpretive words or descriptive labels to describe a situation or employee.
- The manager uses key words that indicate a statement of opinion including “I believe,” “I think,” “I feel” or “In my opinion”
A manager that has the ability to facilitate a performance discussion based on factual information will maintain the confidence of his/her employees.
Signs that a Manager is Focusing on Factual Information
- The manager uses statements are backed up by direct observations or examples.
- Information is presented and discussed without bias or judgment on the manager’s part.
A manager that routinely provides feedback based on opinion will ultimately compromise his/her credibility and lose the respect of employees.
Effective Employee Feedback – Facts Provide a Platform for Discussion
An effective feedback session is a performance discussion based on factual information that provides an opportunity for the growth and development of an employee.
Presenting the facts without opinion or personal views will encourage an employee to open up and discuss an issue or concern. A two-way conversation with plenty of dialogue and collaboration will often lead to a mutually agreed upon solution or course of action.
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