Communication is critical in workplaces, but difficult conversations are a rarity. According to a recent study, only 21 percent of US employees said they’ve received meaningful feedback from their managers in the past week. How can leaders better provide their team members with the communication they need to succeed? Start by making feedback more prompt. Be specific with suggestions, and focus on future successes. The emphasis should be placed on specific improvements and how those improvements will get results. It’s also helpful to focus on an employee’s strengths. If team members’ feedback is centered on their weaknesses, the improvement process can be frustrating. Finally, ensure team members understand the totality of their actions. Too often managers only share downstream effects, leaving team members unsure of where they fit into the organization’s overall success.
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