Ensuring that team members are performing well is an intrinsic part of effective leadership. Accomplished leaders must be well versed in the art of giving feedback to team members. How do we provide effective feedback in a way that it is taken on and inspires someone to make the changes necessary to grow?
How can we ensure that the feedback we give – and receive – is transformative, rather than destructive?
“Let’s face it – we are not always comfortable with receiving feedback, especially when someone offers us ‘constructive feedback’,” says Lindy McClymont, Head of Faculty at The LLC Academy. “We know that a difficult conversation is coming when someone offers us feedback, and the ability to have those difficult conversations is an art in and of itself. But, given appropriately, feedback is extremely useful. How else are we to grow without having someone point out those blind spots we may have?”
“Much of the art of giving and receiving feedback comes down to our intentions,” says McClymont. “When we give feedback, for example, it is worthwhile to interrogate our own intentions. Are we intending to help uplift and grow the person to whom we are giving the feedback? Or are we seeking to reprimand or punish them in some way?”
“This is where we need to be truly honest with ourselves as leaders,” says McClymont. “We don’t want the recipient to become defensive. Coming from a place of genuine desire to help and improve, while focusing on the problem, not the person, can go a long way to establishing a relationship of trust between the person giving feedback, and the one receiving it.”
“A relationship of trust is crucial here,” says McClymont. “If I do not trust your motives, if I think you are criticising my work to assert your own dominance rather than to help me improve upon it, then it is highly unlikely that I will be able to take your feedback on board. So much of what we do as leaders – both of ourselves and of others – is about relationship building. We can only move forward, get better, and continue to improve if we trust those around us to have our best interests, as well as the best interests of the team, at heart.”
“Feedback is a transformative gift, when given correctly,” says McClymont. Honesty, trust, and a genuine desire to help are key in both giving and receiving feedback.”
Need to brush up on your ‘soft skills’? Seeking to improve your relationship with your team? Want to be a better leader, a better team member, a better employer or employee? The LLC Academy offers a range of programmes that can upskill you and your team. Speak to our expert consultants to see what we have on offer that would suit you best!