Go Ahead: Start Honest Feedback Conversations With Every Team Member, Even if You’ve Avoided Them

You may have an aha! experience of realizing that feedback is something you need to do. Now. And on a regular basis. Even though a lot of team members are remote and you don’t want to upset what’s going well, it’s time! Even though you haven’t offered feedback advice to the good performers and OK performers lately, it will boost them, you, and your organization to get going! Right now, they may be vague on where they stand and how they need to develop.

You May Feel Awkward About It

Maybe the reason for avoiding the conversation with some people is not so pleasant–such as being fed up with a poor performer and realizing you have not really talked to them about it. Maybe a project went awry, and with hindsight, it’s clear that feedback would have corrected the problems a long time ago. Or maybe it’s a solid employee leaving, after not being advanced and given more responsibility.

The Aha Realization

Whatever the cause, you may have jumped up and realized it would be a good thing to sit down with each employee regularly, and an even better thing to give immediate feedback about a lot of things–on a day-to-day basis.

If you’ve had a sudden turnaround, what do you tell your peeps?

• You have to admit that you weren’t doing it much in the past.

• Tell them that you want to do it, and you want to do it to help them succeed.

• Make sure they know that feedback doesn’t mean they being dinged. You will be checking in to help them succeed.

• Make it clear that you want their feedback back, too.

• Don’t dump!

• Start with 1 or 2 clear improvement areas that will make the biggest difference. If you’ve avoided giving feedback, it won’t work to express all of your frustrations from the past

• Proceed with frequent check-ins every few days and continue honest, helpful feedback to coach them along the way.

You will now be leading in a way that supports everyone’s goals, starting with your goal to be a successful leader!

Read Best Seller The Feedback Imperative for more tips and strategies for leading remotely.