How to Use Employee Feedback for Organizational Success

From being a mom to my unsure first experiences with leadership to working in human resources onboard at Disney Cruise Line, I’ve learned how critical feedback is for maintaining relationships and cultivating growth. Which is why this is part of the series: Become an Aligned Leader in 2024 - Strategy 18 of 21: The Feedback Loop is a cornerstone of continuous improvement. Here are the 5 key steps that make it a game-changer: 1.     Provide Role Clarity: Clearly defining roles lays the foundation for success. When everyone understands their responsibilities, it creates a roadmap for achievement. 2.     Measure What Matters: Metrics guide progress. Focus on key performance indicators that align with goals, ensuring efforts are directed towards meaningful outcomes. 3.     Timely Feedback: Waiting for scheduled reviews is a thing of the past. Timely feedback, especially when veering off course, corrects the trajectory promptly, preventing detours. 4.     Recognize and Reinforce: Positive outcomes deserve recognition. Acknowledge achievements, big or small, to motivate and reinforce behaviors that contribute to success. 5.     Check for Understanding: Effective communication is a two-way street. Regularly check for understanding to ensure that messages are received and interpreted as intended. Repeat as needed, because effective feedback is an ongoing, organic process that adapts to the evolving needs of the people in your teams. But wait, there’s more! Here are some quick, but important bonus items: -         In the Flow, Not Stress: Timing matters. Avoid providing feedback when stressed, ensuring that the message is delivered constructively and received with an open mind. -         Document for Clarity and Growth: Documenting feedback provides clarity and serves as a roadmap for growth. It transforms insights into actionable steps, fostering development over time. -         Be a Mentor: Guide others through the Feedback Loop as a mentor, not a manager. Share experiences, provide constructive feedback, and inspire a culture of continuous improvement. Do you have any experiences with the feedback loop? What would you add to this list? Feel free to share in the comments below. Thank you so much for reading, and I’ll see you tomorrow for strategy #19! #leadershipdevelopment #feedback #feedbackloop #focusonwhatmatters #effectiveleadership #careergrowth #professionaldevelopment *** Follow me for more content on becoming an Aligned Leader and join our growing newsletter community “Align & Thrive” for tips and strategies on becoming the very best leader you can be.  

Want to improve your business?  Just ask. Seeking and acting on feedback is crucial  for continuous improvement. I remember a time when feedback from clients  highlighted an issue with our response times. Taking this to heart, I streamlined our processes,  which significantly improved our service speed  and customer satisfaction. This experience taught me the great  value of feedback. I also ensure that my employees feel heard by  encouraging them to share their thoughts and  ideas during our weekly meetings. This open communication fosters a collaborative  environment where everyone feels  valued and engaged. By listening to my team, I've been able to make  adjustments that not only enhance our operations  but also boost morale and productivity. Here are a few tips on collecting and  implementing feedback: 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆:  Don't wait for annual reviews. Gather feedback  frequently through surveys, meetings,  and casual conversations. 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆:  Show that you value feedback by implementing  changes promptly. This builds trust and encourages  more honest input. 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽:  Always follow up with those who provided feedback.  Let them know what changes were made  as a result of their input. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:  Ensure that both clients and employees feel  comfortable giving honest feedback without  fear of repercussions. Investing in a feedback culture is essential  because it leads to continuous improvement,  better service quality, and a more  engaged workforce. Listening to and acting on feedback can transform  challenges into opportunities for growth. What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received?  ____ #business #leadership

As business leaders, we understand the importance of gathering customer insights to enhance their experience. But let's remember the incredible value within your internal team. Years ago, I was an executive for a company that had a software solution to do just this.  I think we too often focus on our customers without focusing on one’s internal team.  I was reminded of this recently after I completed several meetings with groups of managers across our pharmacy and customer service teams.  There were a ton of new and innovative ideas as well as general areas of improvement.   Here are a couple of easy cultural habits to collect feedback across your organization, including: ✅ Regular Check-ins: Establish a culture of open communication through regular check-ins and team meetings. Encourage feedback and provide a platform for expressing opinions and ideas.  For example, company-wide town halls are a great way to do this. ✅ Anonymous Surveys: Create opportunities for anonymous surveys to encourage honest and unbiased feedback. This allows employees to share their thoughts without fear of repercussions.  You can buy software for this or even use free solutions from Survey Monkey or Google Forms. ✅ Team Meetings: Conduct periodic team focus groups, or “skip-level” (meaning skipping the team member’s boss) one-on-one interviews. This ensures that different communication preferences and comfort levels are accommodated. ✅ Actionable Insights: Actively listen to the feedback received and take action. Communicate transparently about the outcomes and the steps being taken to address any concerns raised. Remember, that your internal team is the backbone of your organization. Listening to your team as much as your customers is a great way to find innovative, issues, as well as to reinforce your cultural values.  #EmployeeEngagement #InternalTeamFeedback #ListeningCulture #ContinuousImprovement