Never underestimate the power of feedback. Imagine having a job where you aren’t sure whether your services are productive to the company or not.

Perhaps all you do is report to work, carry out the days’ tasks and leave. With time, it is possible to lose morale as you don’t know what to improve or how to keep up in case you’re doing a great job.

Research shows that one of the best ways to help employees thrive is to give them feedback. It’s one of the primary levers leaders have to increase a sense of learning and vigour. 

Constructive feedback is known as a healthy tool for crafting a healthy environment, enhancing productivity and engagement, which leads to better results. There is no doubt that feedback inspires communication, and team members’ collaboration.

One of the best ways to help employees thrive is to give them feedback. Net photo.

According to Jeanne Abatesi, a communications specialist in Kigali, feedback plays a vital role in equipping employees with new knowledge and thus averting repetitive mistakes. 

"Although it involves criticism, once given in the right way, it can help someone improve and in the end, strengthen the bond between managers and employees,” she says.

She carries on that positive feedback boosts performance. Employees are most likely to correct their performance if it doesn’t level up to the organisation’s standards.

"Workplaces that offer feedback to their workers boost them to have confidence since they are aware that the company notices them and wants them to improve or appreciates their efforts. But also, it builds employee loyalty and as such workers feel content with that company and therefore won’t look for jobs elsewhere, a thing that saves the company time and money spent on hiring and training new employees frequently,” Abatesi says.

She also notes that while giving feedback, it’s important to be direct and straight to the point, and that is whether feedback is negative or positive.

According to Indeed Career Guide, feedback about what people are doing right can result in increased engagement both with their work and their colleagues. Some of the benefits of increased engagement include; comfort with sharing new ideas and pointing out problems that need to be addressed.

"Giving and receiving positive feedback that aligns with your organisation’s standards can help you and your colleagues maintain the quality of both behaviour and work that your employer expects. This can help you be successful in your role and clear the way for raises and promotions.”

Harvard Business Review states that there are several things you can do to make your feedback even more powerful and productive. 

For instance, try to identify with the recipient of feedback and understand the emotions they may be feeling. In a straightforward and honest way, explain the reason for the feedback. Imagine that you’re giving yourself feedback. How would you want to hear it? Make sure to focus on the future as well, for example, what can your employee do to move forward?

Sky Dennis, a human resource expert explains that feedback doesn’t have to be public as some people don’t want to be the centre of attraction whether the feedback is positive or negative.

He carries on that you can call someone privately and praise them where they deserve it or criticise them to do better. "Some people if negatively criticised in public, their confidence is affected because they feel embarrassed. You can also decide to offer feedback in a written form and bother following up to know whether your message was perceived well.”

Dennis further says that you don’t have to lecture someone while giving feedback, but instead, make it a conversation and allow the receiver to ask questions where necessary. Once you’re on the same page, assist them in finding a solution.

As a manager; follow up with your employee and show appreciation when you see improvement along the way.