Receiving Feedback About Your Directs
May 1st, 2006We’ve received several questions by email and on the website regarding how to handle input about your team from other people in your organization. This cast, on what to do with “feedback” from others, seems perfectly timed. We knew we’d get questions like these - they’re pretty normal. But we sure didn’t expect to have this good of timing!
While there will always be those who share information with you that isn’t necessarily intended to truly help your organization, we believe the vast majority is well intended. And yet, so often it is delivered clumsily, and/or is unactionable. This cast will help you RECEIVE it well, and then help you action it.
You can’t expect others to give you readily packaged feedback, but you don’t dare just pass on what they say. How do you do that?
Have a listen.
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May 2nd, 2006 at 9:51 am
Excellent advice. Just a day or two late for me however. It was good to hear that I got almost everything nailed by instinct alone. As a new IT Manager, I received feedback about one of my direct reports from a customer (internal employee). This was a customer service issue. Fortunately he was able to give observable behaviors and I could take action on them. I even suggested step 5 1/2 to tell “Rowland” to get back with the user and smooth over the situation. What’s more, since it was something I felt the entire group could benefit from a reminder, at the next staff meeting I simply stated a few things to watch for when dealing with similar situations. No specifics were given about the feedback given to me.
Thanks again guys! Love the show, keep up the great work!
Chuck Tomasi
Host of Technorama, Gmail Podcast, and ChuckChat Freestyle
http://www.chuckchat.com
May 2nd, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Chuck-
Thanks for the very kind words! Glad we’re reinforcing the stuff you’re naturally drawn to - that’s a good sign.
Mark
May 7th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Gentlemen. Your podcast has the best info to B.S. ratio of any podcast I’ve heard, and I listen to 20-30 hours of podcasts every week. I’m currently catching up on all your previous stuff.
Keep up the excellent work, and thanks!
Dan
May 7th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
Dan-
Thanks for the kind words! We try very hard to cut out all the non-value-added stuff.
Enjoy the catching up. Don’t lose any sleep - we’ve had complaints about that.
Mark
May 8th, 2006 at 3:54 am
Dear Mike & Mark,
as “your direct report” I would like to give you and to everybody a feedback: I have just received the book promised by you during an old podcast for free with e personal dedication on the first page (just for jealousy of other listeners !!).
For everybody: this is a confirmation of M&M “existence” and their dedication to this mission. I was really excited and I want to thank them for all this work done with serious but in the same time funny approach.
Thanks and keep on going !
Bilbo (an addicted listener of ManagerTools)
May 8th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
Bilbo-
Thanks for the GREAT note! Glad you got the book, and sorry it took so long… we mailed it ages ago. Please do tell us how we can speed up delivery of items to our European listeners.
Yes, we really do exist. Interesting to be saying that this week in that our cast is delayed. As it turns out, I had to take Drake to the Emergency Room Friday night for a CT scan and a narrowly avoided emergency tonsillectomy. Therefore, I didn’t coordinate well with Mike regarding posting the show. My fault!
I have to ask you - what do you mean by “funny” approach? Are we humorous and unaware of it? We love our work and laugh about it… but….
Glad you appreciate the book, and glad you’re a listener.
Mark
May 8th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
I think he means by funny that your podcats is easy to listen and contains much more than dry facts. You guys make it like listening to friends chatting about relevant things.
May 8th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Filip-
Thanks! We’re not trained in this sort of delivery, but we sure are glad that we come across that way… because that’s how we feel about it (at least when I let Mike talk!)
Mark
May 9th, 2006 at 3:48 am
Filip expressed well my “funny” concept. I really enjoy listening your conversations. It is so different to some boring training session that we often receive. Sorry for my english probably confusing and thanks again for your support
Bilbo
May 9th, 2006 at 9:07 am
Bilbo-
No worries about your English! It certainly is better than my Italian. We’re glad the show feels right to everyone - we don’t feel like we’re working when we shoot a cast.
And - Mike and I are headed to Germany this fall for a client. I will see if I can come down your way and say hello.
Mark
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:13 am
Started downloading Podcasts about 6 months ago. Just found this one and I’m addicted. I’ve spent the last 4 hours on the road and have only listened to the first 8 episodes. I know that I have some catching up do to. Just wanted to take a brief time out and re-affirm what you guys are doing. Have fun. Keep it up. THANK YOU!!!
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:15 am
Thanks, Mike. The comments are very much appreciated!
When you’ve caught up on all the casts, let us know what else you’d like to hear.
best regards,
Mike
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:16 am
Mike-
Glad you love the shows.
We’re doing it for you.
Mark