Feedback Query

Submitted by Paul Vaughan
in
General Questions and Comments

 Hi,

I'd like some advice/recommendations on giving feedback to a direct.

Recently due to hot weather my direct has been coming into work first thing with his shirt quite soaked in sweat (due to his brisk walking pace into work). There is no odour problem, but it has become apparent to the whole team recently due to a daily team catch up (15 minutes) each day at 9am. It was even commented on yesterday by the department head when he joked "I didn't know it was raining outside". 

My direct is a High C and takes feedback well, I'm just not sure how to structure the feedback. Any ideas/comments please??

Submitted by Lance Emerson on Tuesday July 15th, 2014 4:58 pm

 Perhaps suggest the direct wear a t-shirt to walk in and bring a clean shirt to change into.

Submitted by Pedro Palhoto on Tuesday July 15th, 2014 5:24 pm

If it is culturally permitted in the company, and the direct is capable, arrive 15 minutes earlier, and: leave 15 minutes earlier; or have 15 minutes more break time during the day (lunch or otherwise); or leave 1 hour 15 minutes earlier one day of the week. Even if he has a clean shirt to change into, it most likely will take at least 10 minutes to stop sweating and cool down. He'll get the shirt half-soaked if he changes right away. During the time he cools down, he can be productive by checking e-mail and other individual tasks.

I used to do that by cycling to work in a t-shirt and changing into a suit and tie.

Submitted by Paul Vaughan on Wednesday July 16th, 2014 5:16 am

Thanks for the comments, good points to think about. I was thinking more about how I would approach the feedback to my direct and the kind of words to use, as this is a sensitive subject.

Submitted by Michael Mann on Wednesday July 16th, 2014 7:27 am

Something to the effect of, "when you arrive to a meeting 'fresh' from a vigorous walk, the perspiration is off-putting to many and will limit your advancement in the organization.  Can you make an adjustment?"
 
 
  I hope that's helpful,
--Michael
 
 

Submitted by Pedro Palhoto on Wednesday July 16th, 2014 11:01 am

Michael's suggestion is an awesome intro on the subject. For the case you get some push back from high C analysis, having done some homework for negotiating with the direct could help. Maybe consider leaving the feedback + negotiation session for the weekly one-on-one.

Here's a hypothetical scenario to consider. If the brisk walk every morning routine started out in a cooler setting, it might have served the purpose of raising the direct's endorphin level right before the team's daily catch up. It is a "natural high" state that helps with easing face-to-face communication for one who might be more predominantly reserved. Hence, the direct might be doing his outright best to be as productive as he can be in that crucial moment in the day. Not recognizing this or any other scenario, or at least being open to it, can be detrimental to a high C's sense of justice if the manager/organization puts all the responsibility on just the individual, not being available to also adjust.
BTW, here's an extra tip on carrying shirts. To carry a folded shirt in a bag vertically, and to avoid it getting wrinkled, use an A4/Letter sized hard cardboard from for instance an old notebook hard front or back. Fold the shirt around it.

Submitted by Leanne Phillips on Saturday August 9th, 2014 10:23 pm

Have you listened to the cast for that? How to Give Feedback About Attire (3/30/2008)
I think what it has in there would be very appropriate.