Article: Let's bring positivity into feedback sharing

Performance Management

Let's bring positivity into feedback sharing

Feedback sharing need not always be a stone-hearted activity, it can be infused with a lot of positivity as well

I came across this beautiful letter from the Principal of a School in the UK to the students studying in Class VI.

"Dear Students,

Please find enclosed your end of KS2 test results. We are proud of the effort you put in this whole process.

However, we are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. The people who score these tests do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture, or sometimes you take care of your little sister after school. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your best. The scores you get will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything.

So enjoy your results and be very proud of these but remember there are many ways of being smart."

What a beautiful way of connecting and appreciating! Why not encourage every manager to write a small 3-liner personal note to his team member (the way the Principal wrote) as part of the 360 degree Appraisal?

For the last 3 years, after every appraisal - My co-founder & I have sent a hand-written letter to the families of our team members thanking them for the sacrifices they make when their son/daughter/husband/wife works hard at Jombay. The employees and their families have been thrilled by this gesture.

I think the current feedback mechanism in the corporate world is a bit flawed. At times, the feedback giver is not naturally comfortable to give feedback or at times the feedback taker becomes defensive. We need to change this Cultural Climate around feedback. Writing a small note along with the objective feedback form, would make sure the delicate exercise of feedback is not blunt, unsatisfactory and demoralizing!

Let's move towards positivity!

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Topics: Performance Management, #BestPractices, #Blog

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