Feedback is a Gift
A main Pillar of Leadership at Bovo-Tighe is Feedback. Feedback is essential in building trust and should be viewed as a gift. It shows you care and want to help someone move towards better. And just like a gift, it should be given during certain occasions. So, if you are only sitting down with an employee and providing important face-to-face feedback once a year, there’s a chance you may be leaving a lot on the table. A better alternative is a frequent check-in, something we refer to as Aligned Action Meetings. These can be held monthly or weekly, at the end of each project, or whatever timetable works for your people.
The goal would be to talk with the employee, asking questions that show you care and intend to build trust. There are a variety of questions you can ask based on role, relationship, and performance:
What are your short- and long-term goals? —track them!
Are you comfortable/satisfied with your role and responsibilities?
What challenges are you facing?
How can I better support you?
What can be improved or fixed?
Like employee performance reviews, this is a list and statement that should be updated ritually, not just at the end or beginning of each year.