Employees Want Feedback, Even if It’s Negative, Study Finds

Employees Want Feedback, Even if It’s Negative, Study Finds


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Employees Want Feedback, Even if It’s Negative, Study Finds >

Oct. 9, 2009 — Communication — even if it’s negative — is what employees are craving, according to a new study that found 66% of employees believe they have too little interaction with their boss. The Leadership IQ study speculates that this is an indication that this could be driven by the recession because this number is up from 53% in May, 2008, the last time this study was conducted. >

The study found that while 67% of employees say they get too little positive feedback, 51% also say they get too little constructive criticism from their boss. Perhaps most troubling is that employees who said they didn't get enough feedback were 43% less likely to recommend their company to others as a great organization to work for. >

Study results show that 53% of employees say that when their boss does praise excellent performance, the feedback does not provide enough useful information to help them repeat it. And 65% of employees say that when their boss criticizes poor performance, they don't provide enough useful information to help employees correct the issue. >

"Managers are neglecting one of the most fundamental aspects of their job; providing feedback. Especially in these stressful times, employees are desperate for feedback and interaction with their boss. And when they don't get it, their job performance suffers,” said Mark Murphy, chairman of Leadership IQ. “But perhaps worse than the lack of interaction, is the finding that when managers actually do give feedback, more than half of employees say that the feedback is useless. The whole point of feedback is to improve poor performance or reinforce great performance. And this study shows that's just not happening. >

"We know that this has worsened, at least in part, because of the recession. When times get tough, managers become avoidant. Focusing on spreadsheets seems a lot easier than talking to employees,” Murphy said. “Not only might you get hit with questions you can't answer, but when your own stress levels are through the roof, the last thing many managers want is to meet the emotional needs of their employees. But this is precisely the time that employees really need lots of feedback, and they need it to be very high quality." >

About the StudyLeadership IQ surveyed 3,611 workers from 291 business and health-care organizations, predominantly in the United States and Canada. Employees were asked 21 questions about their relationship with their direct boss, their personal effectiveness, workforce issues and overall management effectiveness. The surveys were delivered to Leadership IQ subscribers, with 93% of respondents submitting their responses electronically, 5% via paper and 2% over the phone. Leadership IQ statisticians reviewed the data for accuracy and consistency and analyzed the valid submissions. >

Contents © 2009 WorldatWork. No part of this article may be reproduced, excerpted or redistributed in any form without express written permission from WorldatWork. >

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http://dreamlearndobecome.blogspot.com This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.