03/13/2024

Four Ways to Gather Effective Feedback from Your Team

First: Take the time to listen to the input they may have

For years, I’ve counseled leaders that “people will support that which they helped to create.” And although getting input from employees is one of the surest ways to increase a new idea’s success, many leaders don’t do so. Why not? I polled readers and discovered some interesting viewpoints. The next time you ask your team for input, consider if any of these barriers are getting in your way and then work to overcome them.

Does your organization have a hero complex?

One possible reason you may not ask for employees’ opinions is that you work in a culture that doesn’t support it. Organizational psychologist Thomas Waterhouse observed that some organizations have cultures that, “organize their energy and their world in such a way that [leaders must] always be seen as ‘heroes.’ Having arrived at any position of influence, they surround themselves with supporters, and they don’t ask for critical feedback since at the core of their being, it would be too painful to hear of faults or weaknesses.”

Do you plan to DO anything with the input?

Here’s a cynical, but valid take from HR professional Deirdre Honner, who finds leadership requests for input to be disingenuous. She writes, “I find some of the best ideas, resources and input are from those NOT in leadership positions. But they don’t get heard or even acknowledged. The request is made for show, they have no intention of seriously considering the input and don’t even read the ideas. They use it to ‘make employees feel like part of the process.’ And employees see through the smokescreen. So it’s easier to just not ask.” 

Please select this link to read the complete article from The People Equation.