Don't Make Feedback a One Way Street
Posted by Elizabeth Berlin on Mon, Jan 09, 2012 @ 08:32 AM
Being the boss means you have to make the tough decisions. You’re the one who has to fire and hire people, decide where money is spent, and decide whether or not your employees are performing at the level necessary to make your company succeed.
But even though you’re the boss, it doesn’t mean you don’t make mistakes. As the employer you have people looking at everything you do and judging every decision you make. That’s why it’s just as important for you to GET feedback as it is for you to GIVE feedback. Taking suggestions from your employees does not make you weak. It can actually make you stronger. Most of the time, employees see things that you can’t see yourself.
Start by making a suggestion box and leave it in a common area that everyone has access too. Then once a week check the box and see what changes have been suggested. Even if you don’t agree with them all, sometimes you will find that diamond in the rough.
Asking what the employees think about their work environment and how they feel about the people they work with can help make you a better boss. Become a leader that is confident enough to ask for help because you cannot do everything even though sometimes you might wish you could!
Communication is a two way street and if you don’t ask for your employees to speak openly with you about problems in the office a lot of people might become unhappy creating a hostile work environment for everyone.