Providing regular employee feedback

Problem

Giving feedback is difficult, as most people don't like receiving it if it is negative, and have a hard time receiving it in a constructive way.

Actions taken

The solution is to create a culture of feedback, where feedback happens regularly, rather than just in a crisis mode. If a person needs to receive feedback, yet it's the first time they've ever received significant feedback, they are unlikely to receive it well. Instead, you should inoculate them earlier with smaller, more manageable and less crisis-like feedback before letting them receive something too large. It's surprising how defensive people can be even if it is a small bit of feedback in a non-critical area. I personally, like to set the context that in my feedback, I'm trying to give them a "gift" and they should try to receive it as such, for their betterment and growth.

"Create a culture of feedback, where feedback happens regularly." "Inoculate them earlier with smaller, more manageable and less crisis-like feedback."

Lessons learned

Ensure that your workplace has a culture where feedback is given regularly. By doing so you will be able to "inoculate" your employees, and they will be more understanding and prepared for more serious pieces of feedback. In addition, you will be able to more easily break up the deeper areas like character issues into consumable, bite-size gifts. Less drama for everyone.