Employees not taking your feedback well?
It is easy to miss one of the most important factors when giving employee feedback (during an employee review or anytime); being good at receiving feedback yourself!
Why is it important to learn how to receive feedback well?
- Employees need to see you model the behavior of being “open” to feedback
- Employees are more likely to be open and vulnerable with you if you are in your day to day interactions
- If you find yourself being defensive, not listening or simply are not open to feedback you will never learn how to give feedback well. Why? Because of how you are likely viewing feedback, as a criticism. Feedback is not criticism. You first must learn how to see it as a way to grow as a person and a manager , then judgment won’t come across when you are giving feedback to others. How will you know you are giving feedback well? By looking at the face of your employee!
4 Tips to Receiving Feedback
1. Try to show your appreciation to the person providing the feedback. They’ll feel encouraged and believe it or not, you do want to encourage feedback.
2. If you find yourself becoming defensive or hostile, practice stress management techniques such as taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.
3. Focus on understanding the feedback by questioning and restating; this usually defuses any feelings you have of hostility or anger.
4. If you really disagree, are angry or upset, and want to dissuade the other person of their opinion, wait until your emotions are under control to reopen the discussion.
To learn more about giving and receiving feedback consider taking our Individual Development Plan Webinar or enrolling your team in one of our Individual Development Plan Packages on sale through the end of November.