Some managers are naturally gifted in providing timely and accurate performance feedback to their employees – however most are not! Most managers need training to develop feedback skills. In fact, according to a large scale study by McKinsey, about 40% of the feedback given to employees actually has a negative impact on their performance due to poor delivery – including being unclear, inaccurate, and biased.

Here are some of the underlying problems:

• Many managers feel uncomfortable giving performance feedback as they fear an emotional reaction from the employee.
• Managers and employees often disagree about performance – employees frequently see themselves better than others see them but the manager backs away from challenging this inflated self view.
• Feedback is sometimes biased – managers may not be objective and are influenced by personality or issues outside the employee’s control.
• Feedback is often not provided in a timely way. Managers do not adequately track and record performance data and this result in feedback that is disconnected with the employees behaviors.

Even managers with many years experience can make fundamental errors in how they assess employees’ performance and communicate with the employee. A half-day feedback skills course for managers can be very helpful in making them aware of their current practices and provide them with additional skills to enhance their effectiveness. After all – many managers would think nothing of spending a few hours with a professional golf coach to improve their golf swing – why not do the same for their feedback skills?

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