Why Feedback is a Gift
My husband loves to tell me feedback is a gift. And he’s right, not only is it a gift but it’s the best kind of gift, because we can choose whether to accept it or not.
So why is feedback so good?
Feedback is a motivator
When feedback is given in the correct way it can be a huge motivator. (A study by Officevibe showed that 4 in 10 workers are actively disengaged when they receive little or no feedback.)
Plus, it’s not difficult to do. A simple well done from a colleague or a client can cheer anyone’s day up. And people are also motivated by giving feedback. We like to be asked our opinion because it makes us feel valued. So having a culture of giving and receiving feedback regularly can motivate everyone.
Feedback can improve performance and encourage growth
People cannot improve if they don’t know what they are doing wrong.
You can give them different work to do or move them to a different client, but that simply shifts the problem without solving it. By fostering a culture of continuous feedback we enable people to understand their development points and grow. And the growth isn’t just individual growth.
By regularly facilitating feedback from employees about the company you not only engage them by asking their opinion but find out what improvements could be made to further engage them, which leads to improved performance and productivity and therefore profitability. (The Splash reported that profitability was 22% higher for companies with high engagement compared to those with low engagement)
Feedback is free
Free and accessible!
Ok engagement surveys aren’t free and nor is effective feedback training but the rest is. And anyone can give and receive feedback.
Feedback helps us in all aspects of life
Feedback teaches us effective listening and that is a tool we use in all walks of life from parenting to relationships to negotiations with a tradesperson. But it is only effective if it is truly listened too, that means ensuring you let the person know it’s understood and heard (even if you don’t agree with it).
You can ignore it
That’s right - feedback can be ignored.
Hopefully it isn’t always ignored but you as an individual can decide whether the feedback is relevant and needs to be acted upon. Feedback is simply a data source. Just because it’s been said, doesn’t mean it has to change your behaviour.
Statistics On The Importance Of Employee Feedback (officevibe.com)