Feedback Survey: How to Avoid Surprises

Do you ever find yourself astonished when you get the results of a company feedback survey or performance review?

What it comes down to is that as a founder, leader, or manager, you should be checking in regularly enough with your team members or direct reports so there are no big surprises when the final feedback survey results come in.

I was having a discussion about this with one client recently and he drew an analogy to the Internet of Things. I loved it and had to share.

In a really well-functioning group, if you’re the leader, it should be like the Internet of Things: you should have sensors everywhere so that if people are feeling overworked, you’re understanding; if there’s something going on with a management issue with one of your leaders you’re hearing about it; and so on.

You should not be waiting until the feedback surveys come back to understand what is really taking place with your group.

My challenge to you this week: have at least one or two conversations where you’re asking people for real genuine feedback. Talk to people who you don’t usually talk to as much and really try to get a sense of what their world is like.

Start placing your sensors everywhere so that the next time you have a survey there are no surprises!

Read more on how to give feedback virtually.