Employee satisfaction is the root of a successful business – if your team isn’t happy, they are less likely to be engaged with their work, and morale and performances suffer. However, it can be challenging as a leader to get the feedback necessary to address issues and create positive changes before it’s too late and you lose your best workers. Learn more about how to encourage employees to speak up and provide honest feedback with these tips:   

1. Offer a Safe Space  

 Employees may be understandably anxious to volunteer feedback that is not necessarily positive, so it’s essential that you offer a safe space for them to do so. Communicate to your team that you truly desire the feedback and that no one will be penalized for their honesty. Establish an open-door policy so you are accessible to receive their feedback, and offer multiple methods of contact, including group meetings you proactively initiate and an anonymous form.   

2. Demonstrate the Purpose   

Another possible hurdle to receiving honest feedback from your employees is a cynicism that any input they provide will truly be acted upon. Demonstrate the purpose of their participation (and that you’re not just paying lip service) by communicating any planned next steps to the feedback you receive. Let them know what action steps you will be taking to implement solutions, and then quickly follow through.    

3. Absorb Responses with Neutrality   

When you are receiving employee feedback, make it a priority not to view them in a defensive manner, or to evaluate their merit. Rather, you should aim to absorb responses with neutrality and view them solely as objective data points to consider. After all, it doesn’t matter what you or the company is doing “correctly” if there is a negative perception among employees.   

4. Delve Deeper with Follow Up Questions  

Another likely scenario you may encounter when employees give feedback is that may give minimal responses if you only ask broader questions (i.e., if you ask how a project is going, them saying “it’s fine” doesn’t tell if there are truly no issues, or if the employee just feels they are handling them in a satisfactory manner). Delve deeper with follow up questions, such as asking for specific examples or phrasing your questions to be more targeted.   

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Build a team of top talent by partnering with PrideStaff San Jose. As an experienced staffing firm, PrideStaff San Jose can quickly and effectively provide you the most qualified candidates for your positions. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your staffing needs.