22/5/2024
After many years in big corporate, big 4 consulting and working with smaller clients, one way to cultivate a thriving organisational culture, is through robust feedback. When people think of feedback, they may think of awkward moments sharing (often negative feedback) that may have varying ramifications. Effective feedback is much more that that. It is more about gathering inputs; it’s a dynamic process that involves listening, acting, and rewarding. Let me share why these steps, I believe, can have such an impact on company culture.
Listening with Intent: It starts with how you listen, often called active listening. You need to have continuous, open dialogues, to ensure every voice in your company is heard. This transformation is about creating channels where feedback flows freely and is genuinely welcomed. I often come up against cultures where despite stated values encouraging such behaviours, what happens in practice is that being honest and transparent comes with negative consequences, and contributes towards a genuine fear of retribution.
Action that Speaks Volumes: The real test of feedback comes with action. Don’t just collect feedback; you need to act on it decisively. Whether it’s adjusting your strategic direction or addressing day-to-day operational hiccups, make it clear how much you treasure feedback and that it directly influences your decisions. This responsiveness shows your team that their insights have the power to effect change, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility across all levels.
Rewarding Contributions: Finally, recognizing and rewarding your employees’ contributions is an important step to ensure you keep that feedback flow going. Try celebrating achievements that align with your core values and mission, which reinforces your cultural goals and motivates everyone to strive for excellence. This isn’t about generic accolades; it’s about meaningful recognition that resonates with each individual’s effort and impact.
This feedback-driven approach can not only elevate your operational success but also enhance your workplace environment, making your company a place where people feel valued and invested. It’s a continuous journey, but one that will show to give regular returns.
For leaders looking to foster a similarly vibrant culture, it’s essential to commit to these principles: listen earnestly, act swiftly, and reward heartily. Each step will bring you closer to a culture that not only exists on paper (too often the case) but thrives in every interaction within your organization.
The next great part to this puzzle, an area I am particularly passionate about. Get ready for more on that!
To learn more about how to create a great feedback culture where your employees are tripping over each other to provide it, then get in touch.
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