Discussion: Providing Effective Feedback

Although managers should provide feedback informally on a regular basis, many organizations rely on a formal review process as well. Often conducted annually, these formal reviews allow for both the employee and the manager to discuss past achievements and set goals for honing or improving skills.

For this week's Discussion Question, reflect on a formal review that you have received, and consider the impact the review had on your motivation. Consider the information you received during the review, whether it was useful or a surprise to you, and any positive or negative aspects of the experience.

Response that addresses the following:

• Compare and contrast the value of feedback from the formal performance review with more immediate and often less formal types of feedback communication-such as mentoring or coaching-that managers provide.
• Explain the effect of the feedback on your motivation as an employee. Explain whether you understood the feedback you had received and the steps you took to develop your skills as a result of the performance review.
• After considering the effect of feedback on your own motivation, discuss how you would handle situations where you, as a manager would need to provide negative feedback and the steps you would take to ensure you could maintain a positive work environment and help your employee continue to develop professionally.

Reference the Learning Resources to support your conclusions.

Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.

Respond to two or more of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Based on your experience and observations, provide examples of when the type of feedback discussed by your colleague succeeded and/or failed. Describe the results (or impact) of the feedback and why you think the feedback led to those results.
• Expand on a colleague's post by describing how the manager could improve the type of feedback, make it more actionable, monitor its effects on the employee and work environment. Provide your rationale and include examples from your experience or observations.
• Expand on a colleague's post by sharing how employees can give feedback to the boss, or the consequences of not providing your boss with useful feedback. Provide your rationale and include examples from your experience or observations.