Real-time feedback can boost collaboration and productivity in the workplace, and we’ve got five action steps you can take to create or enhance real-time feedback in your organization.
Real-time feedback is essential for personal and organizational growth.
Real-time feedback is the backbone of a thriving workplace. Effective feedback removes ambiguity and provides immediate insights into employee performance, fostering continuous improvement and growth. For People leaders, the challenge lies in helping people managers balance the delicate act of delivering feedback effectively while maintaining healthy relationships.
Crafting a robust feedback culture strategy is possible.
A well-defined strategy helps make real-time feedback work throughout an organization. The feedback strategy needs to be clear about how often feedback happens, what it looks like and how it's delivered to create a positive environment where employees feel comfortable giving, receiving and acting upon feedback.
When everyone knows what to expect, the understanding builds trust and makes learning a normal part of the job. Consistency in communication is vital to building trust, engagement and a culture of continuous learning.
Start talking about your feedback culture during onboarding.
When new people join the organization, it's a perfect chance to set the tone for feedback — right from the beginning.
If new employees know, from day one, that feedback is essential, they'll be more likely to engage, share ideas and get better at their jobs faster. Early feedback also helps new employees understand where they can improve, and it helps build a culture of feedback that will permeate the rest of the organization.
Clearly communicate expectations about your feedback culture.
Be clear with your communications about why feedback is important and how often it should be delivered. If you have an intranet, consider creating a dedicated intranet page defining the company's feedback culture and how feedback works. When everyone is on the same page, it reduces confusion and makes people more comfortable giving and getting feedback.
Provide feedback training for skill enhancement.
Getting better at giving feedback is a skill everyone can learn. Training that is specifically about feedback can equip employees and leaders with the skills needed to deliver and receive feedback constructively, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
5 steps lean People teams can take to create a stronger feedback culture:
- Establish a real-time feedback strategy.
- Integrate your feedback culture into new hire onboarding.
- Create an intranet page with examples of effective feedback.
- Invest in feedback training programs for skill enhancement.
- Encourage discussions about feedback in team meetings.