Feedback in the workplace, or how to manage your staff effectively

While the question of feedback in the workplace is a key management issue, a 2021 Officevibe study shows that 98% of employees admit that they find it difficult to remain committed to the company because of a lack of feedback.

We need to take a step back in order to move forward more effectively, and that's where all the challenges lie. Mastering the art of feedback opens the way to constructive exchanges that propel every employee towards excellence.

So what are the best practices and tools for effective communication? How can we convey constructive criticism? How can we boost performance and avoid staff turnover? How can you make feedback an integral part of your corporate culture to maintain team cohesion ?

Here's our transparent feedback! And find examples at the end of this article. 🤓

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Let's go back over the definition of feedback

What is feedback in business?

Feedback is the return of information, observations and experiences. Within a company, it represents a driver for improvement for every member of the team, for managers and employees alike.

💡 Feedbacks also meet our psychological and social needs within the company, such as the need for :

• esteem
• fulfilment
• and security.

The 4 different types of business feedback

• Corrective feedback identifies and corrects errors, shortcomings or any other aspect that can be improved. It encourages continuous learning and progress.

• Positive feedback: highlights strengths, positive achievements and accomplishments. If positive attracts positive, this feedback boosts motivation and self-esteem and helps to create a flourishing working environment.

• Multi-directional feedback is a 360° feedback system that gathers opinions from superiors, peers, subordinates and customers. It provides global feedback and encourages improvement through better perspective-taking.

• Feedforward: providing suggestions and improvements for future actions without getting stuck on past actions. The practice encourages proactive action and stimulates better performance.

The importance of feedback in business: why use it?

Continuous improvement

Feedback enables continuous improvement for employees... but also for managers! The practice is beneficial for all parties, and even more so for the company.
Performance and results guaranteed. 📈

A healthy environment and good team cohesion

While feedback helps to improve performance, it also promotes good understanding within a team. The emphasis is on mutual respect through effective communication.

And we know that a close-knit team works more efficiently!

A driving force for commitment and motivation

What's more, good relations within a team drive commitment and motivation. A healthy working environment encourages people to adapt, excel and improve.

Feedback is an integral part of the corporate culture, enabling employees to develop their skills in an optimal climate.

The key to productivity

Ultimately, effective feedback is the key to good productivity , which benefits the development of employees, the company, its performance and its reputation. In short, it's a win-win situation!

How do you give feedback? 4 keys to effective communication

Formal feedback: encouraging development in a structured process

Formal feedback can take the form of an e-mail or a recurring one-to-one meeting. Given at an appropriate time, it has many advantages. By providing an objective overview, formal feedback enables a global and in-depth assessment of an employee's performance.

It also provides motivation and recognition, while encouraging improved performance and greater autonomy for further development within the company. The structured process motivates teams with a view to professional enhancement.

✅ O ur advice. Whether in writing or verbally, favour a friendly exchange and be as specific as possible. You can even take advantage of these moments to ask for feedback on your management.

Informal feedback: an invitation to improve in a climate of trust

Whether written or oral, informal feedback is less structured, but a relaxed exchange helps to establish a climate of trust.

Whether in a chat, after a meeting or during a coffee break, feedback encourages day-to-day communication. A fortiori, this type of exchange encourages open-mindedness and a better reception of constructive criticism.

✅ O ur advice. Give preference to verbal communication to show your sympathy and ensure that your feedback is properly understood.

Written feedback: precise feedback that promotes understanding and assimilation

Written feedback, which is often formal, has the advantage of being more precise and developing the feedback. Take this time to avoid omitting information that is vital for proper understanding. In terms of communication channels, consider :

• an e-mail
• a report
• or a chat.

✅ O ur advice. The assimilation of feedback is all the more enhanced by the various written traces. This is the best way to ensure that your feedback is understood in detail by your employees, who will then be able to come back to it.

Oral feedback: a more human exchange promotes greater team cohesion

Oral feedback provides instant feedback. Generally informal, an oral discussion or exchange encourages goodwill and a better reception of feedback.

✅ O ur advice. Take advantage of this moment to be friendly and open to debate. Through a more human exchange, you'll be promoting a healthy working environment and better team cohesion. You've got everything to gain!

Different software for collecting feedback? It can be done!

While the idea of feedback may put off the most reserved or those who feel they don't have the time (although we hope you've changed your mind by reading this article 😀 ), putting certain tools in place in your management is an interesting solution.

In fact, there are several advantages to using this system :

• greater flexibility,
• centralisation of data,
• an automated process
• the ability to remain anonymous,
• less apprehension.

In short, a simpler process that encourages feedback at all levels.

Many HR software packages on the market offer you the opportunity to provide feedback through new communication channels.

While each software package offers a different service, sometimes dedicated to customer feedback, sometimes to partner feedback, softgarden stands out by helping you to obtain feedback both internally and externally in your HR processes:

• candidates can share their impressions of your recruitment process,
• your employees can provide feedback on their experience of their integration into the company.

And what could be better than good feedback to improve your employer brand and therefore your attractiveness as a company, to offer the best possible process for your candidates and a better integration? And of course, at the end of the day, to encourage the retention of talent and the growth of your company.

Examples of feedback: what does it mean in concrete terms?

Manager feedback

Take advantage of the validation of a task given to one of your subordinates to help them project themselves into the future and improve. Use this moment as a springboard for progress.

• Be kind and precise!
• Don't get stuck on the task you've just completed.
• Propose your ideas using " Why not...? "or " What if...? "

"For future projects, consider exploring more dynamic methods of communication within the team. Why not chat, for example? It could improve your efficiency and the quality of your work. "

Corrective feedback from the manager

Corrective feedback should be as constructive as possible to encourage future improvement.

• Be sympathetic so that your feedback is better received.
• Don't forget to emphasise the positive points to motivate your colleague.
• Be clear and precise to avoid any misunderstandings.

"The quality of your work and your expertise in the field are undeniable and real assets for us. To maximise the impact of your presentations, I suggest you slow down your verbal flow slightly. This will ensure better understanding and engagement from the audience. "

Positive feedback from the manager

Positive feedback is a driver for improvement and an important point in your management. It's a way of showing your appreciation of your employees, who will be aware of their strengths and qualities... so that they can build on them even more!

• Don't hesitate to give positive feedback to encourage them when they lose motivation.
• Even if everything's going well, giving positive feedback boosts self-confidence and encourages you to excel!
• You don't need a long speech to congratulate your colleague - a "Well done! "is also positive feedback !

"Your customer relations skills are a real asset. Your empathetic approach and deep understanding of customer needs have contributed significantly to our continued sales growth. "

Valuing employees: a manager's first duty? That's the premise of Karen, communications coach:

Multi-directional employee feedback

During a regular meeting, don't hesitate to take the temperature by asking your employees for constructive feedback on your management methods.

• Ask for both positive and negative points to encourage management improvement.
• Don't be afraid to ask for ideas and suggestions: that's what feedback is all about!

"The team's results are excellent and I hope we'll be able to work even more effectively next term, and that includes my work and my management methods. Do you have any comments, suggestions, or even things you would have particularly appreciated? "

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Feedback in the workplace: in a nutshell

The art of corporate feedback is at the heart of constructive and effective communication. By opting for open, clear and benevolent exchanges, you can lay the essential foundations for a healthy, pleasant and productive working environment.

Good feedback gives you the tools you need to boost your staff and drive your business towards excellence.