The folks over at the Ken Blanchard Companies recently created an info-graphic called “The Dysfunctionally Connected Workplace,” based on their research regarding leadership and communication for the Employee Work Passion Survey 2013. The gist of the info-graphic is that although people are more connected by technology than ever before, they’re still dis-connected (and disengaged) with their work, organization, and especially their leader.
Check out the entire info-graphic below.There’s lots of good information here. The big number that jumps out at me is:
82% of employees say their leaders don’t provide appropriate feedback.
This reminded me of some recent tweets by leadership legend Tom Peters:
Giving feedback is not for amateurs.
Is there any more difficult task than giving effective feedback?
If there is, I can’t imagine what it would be.
If you think giving feedback is easy or “straightforward,” then you are hyper-shitty at giving feedback.
No one is open to poorly proffered feedback. No one = No one.
Giving feedback is a skill to be studied, practiced and mastered as much/as carefully as, say, playing the piano.
Begin with a planet-class training course [on giving feedback], require EVERYONE to take it, provide mandatory annual refresher.
The bad news is that giving good feedback is really, really hard. The good news is that if we learn to be even mediocre at giving feedback, we will be way above average. And remember, the worst thing you can do is to give no feedback at all (even negative feedback is a bigger boost to employee engagement than no feedback at all). Last point: a big secret to giving good feedback lies in the second-biggest number in this info-graphic: 81% say their leaders don’t listen.
What do you think? Is giving feedback really so important? And is it really that hard? Have any tips on giving better feedback? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
Jesse Lahey, SPHR, is the host of the Engaging Leader podcast and managing principal of Aspendale Communications. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. If you know anyone who would benefit from this information, please share it!
