It’s that time of the year again - the corporate parties, the Secret Santas, the yearly overviews and all that feedback. Whether you should give it or gather it, it’s always there, looming in the corner like a Christmas tree.
We get it - it might sometimes feel overwhelming and time-consuming but try to look at the bright sight - an open dialogue with your team sets the stage for a healthy environment where communication flows freely. Encouraging employees to share their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions establishes a foundation for trust and collaboration. Plus, It's so much more than just listening - it's about actively engaging in a meaningful conversation that promotes a sense of belonging.
Another great example of the benefits of taking employees' feedback into account is that it can act as a catalyst for improvement. Choosing the right moment to ask people how they feel and actually listening to what they have to say encourages a mindset of continuous improvement. It emphasises the value of learning from both successes and challenges, creating a work environment where everyone cares about making the workplace better.
So what’s the right way to ask for feedback from your employees and how important it is to take it into account? Let’s see.
Choose the right approach
It’s important to make sure people are comfortable sharing their honest opinions. You can implement an anonymous online survey to get people’s opinions and impressions on more generic matters or practices that apply to most people in the company. Or you can schedule one-to-one meetings where people discuss matters directly with their managers.
Don’t forget how important it is to stress the importance of everyone’s opinion - it makes people feel valued and appreciated. And they deserve to play some part in the decision-making process - after all, we spend ⅓ of our lives working. 😱
Be consistent
Whatever system you choose, just don’t forget to use it regularly - being consistent creates a channel for continuous improvement. Having regular check-ins helps track the progress, see how people react to implemented changes and track people’s attitudes
Turn feedback into action
Collecting feedback is just the beginning. The real deal is about what happens when you turn those insights into actionable initiatives. Don't bother conveying surveys if you're never going to check the results. Instead, review the feedback received and focus on areas that need improvement. Establish clear plans for implementing a positive change and communicate these plans transparently to your team. This demonstrates a commitment to addressing concerns and reinforces a culture of responsiveness.
Seeking and incorporating employee feedback is a strategic investment in the success and growth of your organization. Encouraging a culture of open communication, implementing effective feedback mechanisms, and translating insights into action, lays the groundwork for continuous improvement.
Don't underestimate the power of feedback - a workplace that values and acts upon the opinion of its employees is one that thrives in the long run.
