Forums

Hi,

I'm currently struggling at giving positive feedback. I know the ratio should be 90% positive 10%negative.

I'm involved in a company wide project at the moment which means I'm out the office for up to 2 or 3 days a week, and then when I'm in I'm also in other meetings. Therefore I don't tend to get involved in the day to day stuff to see the positive stuff my directs are doing.

I have managed to maintain the weekly one to one schedule and do give positive feedback if they have completed certain piece of work we agreed on, also adjusting where appropriate.

I know a lot of other managers must be in similar situations. Has anyone got any advice that could help.

 

All the best

 

Paul.

TomW's picture
Training Badge

What are your directs doing while you are gone? Can you give them feedback on meeting deliverbles in your absence?

England77's picture

TOMW,

 

Thanks for the response. I do give them positive feedback in One 2 One's when they meet deliverables we have discussed in the previous week. Perhaps I just not paying enogh attention when I'm there to pick up the postive things they are doing.

England77's picture

TOMW,

 

Thanks for the response. I do give them positive feedback in One 2 One's when they meet deliverables we have discussed in the previous week. Perhaps I just not paying enogh attention when I'm there to pick up the postive things they are doing.

stringl's picture

Hi Paul,

I wanted to let you know that I struggle with a similar situation, where I don't see much of the good stuff that happens. I don't have any helpful suggestions for you, but thought you'd like to know that others find this hard, too. Plus, if you're at least giving some positive feedback occasionally, it's still good, and better than many.

Keep at it,

S.

Jirrin's picture

I can't offer much advice on the subject since I am clearly the ultimate feedback procrastinator.  Kudos for the feedback you are providing, and more so for wanting to do more.

What do they do / perform that allow you to be so hands-off the daily activities.  That seems to be the best place to look for it.

  • Working independently at XXX, which allows me to focus on XXX, and makes you look good.
  • Managing your deadlines
  • Prioritizing without my assistance

Keep it up, you give me more courage.

 

 

lindge's picture
Training Badge

Don't know much about your team and how it operates.  Some other ways to get a view on the behaviors of the individuals in the team may be to:

- Speak with your clients frequently re how the team and individuals in it are contributing, interacting with them. For example, do your team members provide enough warning about input required from the clients, what does the client feel the level of quality is with deliverables etc. This will help you keep in touch with what's going on while you're out of the office and also help provide specific feedback content

- Do you get copied in on emails by your directs, or get involved in phone calls with them on certain subjects - are you able to provide feedback here?

- Are you happy with how the individuals in the team make decisions when you're not there? Also, are they prioritizing work appropriately in line with team and individual objectives? Do individuals escalate to you appropriately? What behaviors do you expect of your directs while not in the office and is actual behavior in line with expected behavior?

- In addition to meeting deliverables, you could provide feedback on how they met the deliverables e.g. did they pre-wire meetings, did they solicit advice from the correct groups / teams, what is the quality of documentation (do you review or receive any output from the individuals that you can provide feedback about)?

These are just some quick examples of areas where it may be possible to look for feedback...with hopefully most of it being positive feedback!

Good luck with it; it's a tricky situation being away from your team for so much of the week.