Transforming Performance: Effective Feedback Strategies for First-Time Managers

Providing feedback to your team is an essential part of a manager's job and when accomplished it can be rewarding for both sides. As a First-Time Manager, you might find it difficult at first, due to many reasons.

Perhaps you used to be a peer with your now team members, or maybe you feel like you lack the experience, and these are just two of the numerous challenges you might face.

Giving feedback can be challenging, especially when it involves pointing out areas for improvement. It is important to remember that feedback exists to help and support your team members understand how they're doing, what they're doing well, and where they need to improve.

Let's explore some effective strategies for giving feedback that we discuss frequently with the groups of First-Time Managers in our training programs.

Mastering the Art of Feedback: Effective Strategies

Understanding the significance of feedback is crucial before we delve into the strategies that can help us give it effectively. According to a study by Gallup conducted in 2017, employees who receive regular feedback from their managers are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged in their work.

Engaged employees are more productive, more satisfied with their jobs, and less likely to leave the company. Feedback also helps your team members grow and develop.

By providing them with specific feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement, you can help them build their skills and reach their full potential. Let's dive into 6 simple yet powerful strategies of giving feedback:

Be Specific and Objective

When giving feedback, it's important to be specific and objective. Avoid vague feedback that doesn't provide any actionable information. Instead, focus on specific behaviors and actions that your team members can improve upon.

Use objective language and avoid making personal attacks. By providing specific examples, you help your team members understand exactly what they need to work on.

Give Feedback in a Timely Manner

Timing is everything when it comes to giving feedback. If you wait too long, the situation may have passed, and the feedback will no longer be relevant. On the other hand, if you provide feedback too soon, your team members may not have had a chance to process the information and may react defensively.

The key is to find the right balance. One effective strategy is to give feedback as soon as possible after the event has occurred. This allows your team members to reflect on the situation while it's still fresh in their minds.

However, it's also important to give them some time to process the information before following up with them. This gives them a chance to think about the feedback and come up with a plan for how to address it.

Be Sincere and Empathetic

When giving feedback, be sincere and demonstrate empathy. Show that you care about your team member's success and want to help them improve. Listen to their perspective and be open to their feedback as well.

Keep in mind that it is important to walk in the other person’s shoes and think of yourself as receiving feedback for improvement. How would you like to be treated?

Focus on the Behavior, Not the Person

When giving feedback, it's important to focus on the behavior, not the person. For example, instead of saying "You're not a good communicator", try saying "I noticed that in the last meeting, you didn't speak up as much as the others."

By focusing on the behavior, you avoid making the person feel attacked or criticized, and instead, you're providing them with specific feedback that they can act on.

Provide Actionable Solutions

Feedback should not just identify problems but also provide actionable solutions. Work with your team members to come up with a plan to address the issue and set clear expectations for improvement.

This requires a short preparation depending on the issue in order for you to come up with at least 2 different alternative proposals to suggest to your team member. By doing that your team members feel a sense of care from your side since you took the time to think and advise them.

Use Positive Language

Words matter! The way you frame your feedback can have a big impact on how it's received. Using positive language can make the feedback feel more constructive and less critical. For example, instead of saying "You did that wrong" try saying "Here's an alternative approach that might work better"

Positive language also helps your team members feel more motivated and engaged. By using positive language when giving feedback, you can help your team members feel happier and more engaged in their work in general.

Follow Up

Follow up with your team member after providing feedback. This shows that you care about their progress and are invested in their success. It also provides an opportunity to provide additional support and guidance if needed.

Ask for Feedback from Your Team

Finally, don't forget to ask for feedback from your team. By asking for their input, you demonstrate that you value their opinions and that you're open to improving your own leadership skills.

Additionally, when your team members feel comfortable providing you with feedback, they may be more receptive to receiving feedback from you. Here's an example of how to ask for feedback: "I value your opinions and would like to know how I can better support you as your manager. Is there anything I could be doing differently to help you achieve your goals?"

Leverage the Power of Effective Feedback

Giving feedback is an essential part of being a manager, but it can also be challenging. Remember, giving feedback is not about criticizing or attacking your team members, but rather about caring for them and helping them reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves.

By providing regular feedback, you can help your team members feel engaged, valued, and motivated to succeed. Isn’t that what you want as well as a professional? The more you start asking for feedback the more you get used to giving it and practice is very important when it comes to communication skills.

For more strategies on giving feedback and extra tips join our First-Time Managers community and discover all the necessary tools and assistance as well as a safe space for growth and knowledge sharing between like-minded and driven individuals.