One of the most efficient ways to help your employees grow in your business is by providing effective feedback in the workplace. Giving feedback is a critical way to improve work ethic and performance when it is applicable and insightful. But how do you make your feedback effective? Follow these tips to get the most out of your feedback and build a better business:

1. Be Prepared when Possible

When you discuss with your employees how they can improve, plan what you’re going to say in advance and be present.

Depending on your business, you may prepare for a quarterly review, or send an email with feedback. Either way, think through what your employee can improve on and make it specific. Off-the-cuff comments can often come across as disingenuous.

This also allows you to prepare specific and actionable feedback, which will also help promote a growth mindset or a mindset that intelligence can be developed and leads to a desire to learn and grow.

Although being prepared is important, it is also a balance between providing feedback as close to when the performance happens as possible. The closer to that moment you provide the feedback, the more time your employee has to grow.

2. Learn How Your Employees Prefer to Receive Feedback

Not everyone receives feedback the same. The way you communicate with one employee may be drastically different from another. Finding this out can be as simple as asking the following questions:

• How do you prefer to receive feedback?
• Should I wait to provide feedback in a private setting or provide feedback in the moment?
• Do you prefer to receive praise in addition to constructive feedback?

The more you understand how your employees prefer to receive feedback, the more effective feedback you can provide. The more comfortable your employees are, the more likely they are to be receptive to the feedback.

3. Not all Feedback is Negative

When most people think about feedback, they think of constructive feedback. Although that is a large piece of improving your employees’ execution, positive feedback is just as important to encourage and improve overall performance.

That being said, focus the positive feedback on effort rather than solely ability. Recognize when employees are going the extra mile to improve or are putting extra effort into completing an order or closing a deal. This takes your feedback much further than just “good job” and will positively impact your company by praising effort.

4. Effective Feedback in the Workplace Starts with You

Leaders who not only provide but also implore their own feedback are far more effective than those who don’t. This allows you to improve as a leader and normalize feedback within your workplace, so you and your employees can improve together.

Absorb what your employees say and model the behaviors you want from others. This will allow you to improve together and normalize a culture of growth.

Learn more about improving your business with Staff Force’s insights and blog posts!