Being a manager is hard work, and you may feel like you’re juggling a million conflicting priorities. Listening to employee feedback may be the last thing you want to do on a busy day. But it’s one of the most important things you will ever do. Here’s why.
Why is Employee Feedback Important?
Stronger Work Environment
Company culture has become a buzzword recently, but for good reason. Everyone performs better, and productivity increases, when the work environment is welcoming and inclusive. Listening to employee feedback shows your workers that you value their input. It also creates an atmosphere of trust where workers feel free to take risks.
Professional Growth
A key element of listening to employee feedback is taking action. Your employees are your eyes and ears on the front lines. They have a unique perspective, and their ideas might just lead to significant time and cost savings. This creates a win-win for them, you, and the company as a whole.
Improved Engagement and Retention
When you act on employee feedback, your team members become more engaged. They see that they are making a real difference at work, and they want to do more. This can also foster feelings of loyalty, making them less likely to leave the company.
When you’re feeling stressed out and pulled in multiple directions, it can be tough to find the time and mental head space to sit down and talk with your employees. But the more you are willing to both listen to and act on employee feedback, the more benefits you will see.
If you are the type of person who needs some time to think through suggestions before responding to them, consider setting up feedback channels such as email or a voicemail line. Just be sure to respond within a few days so that your workers know that their feedback isn’t disappearing into a black hole. Always follow up with a one-on-one conversation that allows the employee to clarify or expand upon their thoughts. Use active listening skills and always find a way to take action, even if the exact suggestion won’t work as initially presented.
Need New Talent?
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