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Giving feedback in the workplace can be difficult. Nobody really likes to point out negatives, as it’s far more fun to point out positives.
Of course, the work of a manager isn’t always fun and you need to show that you’re able to deliver feedback and constructive criticism to employees, in order to improve a situation and get the best out of them.
Many people think that having good communication skills is enough, but it’s actually more about knowing what to say and how to say it, depending upon the person you're speaking to. Different people respond to different words and it’s vital that you choose the right ones for the employees you need to sit down around the boardroom furniture with.
However, there are some words and phrases which fit into any situation, provided they’re delivered in the right way. Always remember to speak to the employee on the same level, don’t be contradictory or unclear, and don’t show that you’re trying to be above them. Then, when you use the right language, the response will be positive, rather than offended or upset.
Here are 7 go-to words or phrases you can use the next time you give feedback to your employees, and why they work well.
“I really like how you …” When you begin with a piece of positive praise, it helps to take a little edge off the negative you need to deliver. So, start by saying what you liked or what you appreciated, and then deliver the rest of the news.
“I think we could take this even further” When trying to improve on a current situation and using this phrase, you’re showing that you’re happy with what’s been done already, but that you think there is room for more improvement. It’s a softer way of saying “that’s good, but it’s not good enough”.
“Because” The magic word! Because explains why you think the feedback or constructive criticism is necessary. It helps to explain the background to where this has come from and ensures that whatever you’re saying is clear and doesn’t leave any room for ambiguity or misunderstandings.
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“What do you think?” It’s important to involve your employee in whatever you’re suggesting and to ask for their view. Asking what they think about what you’ve just said means that you’re not simply telling them to do something, or telling them to do something differently or better. It means that you’re asking how they think it could be improved. It shows you value them.
“I can see that you …” Again, you’re showing recognition here and this phrase is useful because it can be used in various different ways. You can use it to show sympathy, e.g. “I can see that you’ve been under a lot of pressure recently”, or “I can see that you worked really hard on that last project”. It shows that you have taken notice of their effort and it’s a good phrase to use when giving feedback of any kind.
“You have really improved” This is a good phrase to use when you’re sat around the modern boardroom tables at an appraisal. It shows that you’ve noticed their performance but it also helps to cushion the way for any negative you want to mention too. Again, it’s about starting on a positive, adding the negative, and then finishing up on another positive, such as asking what they think about it.
“Do you agree?” It’s a good idea to ask your employee if they agree with your idea or the feedback you’ve given. It’s similar to “What do you think”, but links to a specific point. You could say something like “I think this new approach will bring great results, do you agree?”.
Giving feedback and constructive criticism is never easy, but it’s part of the manager role. This helps you to motivate your employees and improve upon practices that are currently in place.