E81: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Giving feedback to employees is an essential part of leadership and an essential part of a person's growth. However, it can be challenging to deliver feedback that doesn't come across as cold, biased or too personal. I have the honor of giving people my “subjective” feedback daily, and what I have learned in these years, is before I speak, it's important to ensure I am coming from a neutral place, my feedback will be clear and specific and it will also be kind and actionable. Coming from a neutral place can help ensure that the feedback is received positively and is aimed at helping the employee realize their potential.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

Checking your motivations behind giving feedback

Delivering feedback from a kind, clear and neutral place

Turning employees into heroes

Episode Highlights:

[00:08] Delivering Feedback from a Neutral Place

As a person who regularly gives feedback to employees, it is crucial to approach every interaction with care. It is necessary to avoid letting personal biases and opinions cloud our judgments. When providing feedback, it's vital to ensure that we are coming from a neutral place, with the employee's growth and development as the focal point.

Before giving feedback, it's important to check our motivations. We need to ensure that we are coming from a place of equality and neutrality. It's crucial to remember that feedback is not about us, but rather, it's about the employee's growth and success. A neutral approach fosters a sense of safety, facilitating open communication with our employees. This improves our ability to deliver feedback that can be impactful and well-received.

[00:31] Turning Employees Into Heroes

Giving feedback can be scary, but it can also be an opportunity to turn employees into heroes. As a leader, it's crucial to approach these conversations with kindness, clarity, and good intentions. When delivering feedback, it's essential to be kind and clear with your intentions. Coming from a place of empathy and respect can help employees feel valued and supported. Being clear with your message ensures that the employee understands your expectations and the areas they need to work on.

As a leader, you may not have all the answers. Still, you have a good idea of some of the solutions employees should take to improve. Sharing your ideas provides employees with actionable steps they can take to develop and grow. This approach shows you're invested in their success and committed to helping them progress in their careers. As a result, feedback becomes an ongoing conversation, and employees trust their leaders to help them achieve their goals and develop in their roles.