If you have had more than one boss in your career (which I’m sure you have!) you will know that there are many different ways to receive feedback. Some leaders don’t hesitate to let you know when you have dropped the ball. If you are lucky, you will get the opportunity to work with a leader that takes the time to understand which approach to feedback works for you.
Here are some approaches to giving feedback:
Tell me how you really feel, why don’t you?
You have likely experienced this first approach. It comes across heavy handed and can feel like your boss has forgotten that you’re a human being. It probably didn’t leave you feeling very good about your performance or your relationship with that person. Some degree of directness is effective, as it gets right to the point. But what we get in raw feedback we lose in gratitude and progressive development.
Sugar-coated
Did I just receive criticism? I can’t tell. The non-confrontational boss will do as much as they can to avoid difficult conversations. In contrast to the non-filtered approach, the sugar-coated leader will make sure to build you up with praise and compliments to soften the blow of some constructive feedback. People love this type of feedback because they leave the room with a smile but the risk in this approach is that it can build some misguided confidence and deflect and minimize the opportunity for growth and development.
It’s about balance.
Providing good feedback is as much about listening as it is speaking. The key to a balanced feedback approach is knowing when to give it and understanding the employee’s point of view. It’s always important to show gratitude and identify the positive work your team member is doing. but unlike the sugar-coater it’s important to spend time on the opportunity for growth. Questions like: “what would you do differently next time” or “what has worked for you in the past” lead to self-reflection from the employee and allow them to better understand the path for improvement. A good coach should aim to identify an opportunity for improvement and work with their staff to hold them accountable to get there.
Finding the right method of feedback for your team will build trust and allow you to build a working relationship based on gratitude. Learn more about the positive impact feedback can have in Michele Bailey’s book, The Currency of Gratitude.
The notion of work-life balance took on a whole new meaning a year ago when office dwellers were forced to set up shop in their homes. According to Statistics Canada, 32% of Canadian employees worked most of their hours from home in 2021, compared with 4% in 2016. That is a huge jump!
For many, this was a welcome change and one that many have been asking for years. For others, this shift has turned their life upside down, blurring the lines between home and work.
One thing we have learned is that no two situations are the same. Some people have children at home tugging on their sleeves for snacks, some have dedicated office spaces, while some occupy studio apartments where being ‘done for the day’ is signaled only by the closing of a laptop. The big questions are: Are we used to it now? Is this new normal here to stay?
Before the pandemic, 80% of the workforce said they would like to work from home for at least part of the week. Time and money spent commuting is a big driver to prefer working from home. Without a 2-3 hour commute in your day, this leaves more time and money to spend on things you enjoy. Reminding folks to be grateful for this aspect of the workday is important and will continue to foster a positive balance while we navigate this new work culture.
A concern for big business leaders would be a risk of reduced productivity when working from home. But does lack of visibility truly mean lack or production? “Of all new teleworkers, 90% reported being at least as productive, i.e., accomplishing at least as much work per hour, at home as they were previously at their usual place of work” (Statistics Canada). In a previous blog we provided tips for having a “productive day at the office.” With the right space and mentality most folks don’t seem to be struggling to get work completed.
This has been the million-dollar question for many of the office workers we have been connecting with. Many have gotten used to the new routine of working from home, the lunch time workouts (or naps) and the extra savings. The office atmosphere and nature of the work will likely be big deciding factors when deciding whether to return to the office. Work lunches, water cooler talk, white board sessions are all great ways to spark creativity and build a strong workplace culture. Overall, folks seem to be a bit torn. “80% of new teleworkers indicated that they would like to work at least half of their hours from home once the pandemic is over'' (Statistics Canada).
Regardless of how things shake out post-pandemic, it is unlikely things will be back to the way they were in January 2020. Continue to build support and show your gratitude either in person or with a few extra minutes during your weekly Zoom call.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210401/dq210401b-eng.html
As we are in the midst of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic it is all too easy to focus on the impact that the pandemic is having on our own lives. It’s times like these we need a reminder of how important it is to look outwards and show gratitude towards others. Reaching out to the people around us to show support during this difficult time can have an immediate impact on sustaining relationships that are most important to you.
Here are three ways to express gratitude in your daily life:
Start with those closest to you.
At times, it can become easy to take those closest to you for granted. We are spending more time with our significant others, children, and family members. When things get stressful, we rely on them as a sounding board to help us navigate through the issues and challenges in our daily lives. But don’t forget they need support from you too. Putting gratitude at the center of your personal relationships will ensure you are cultivating and strengthening those relationships for the long haul.
Stop and recognize others when they have made an impact on your life.
We have all gotten to where we are today with the help of others.How often do you stop and reflect on who has supported you in your journey? We don’t always recognize it in the moment. Take some time to think about those who are important to you and show your thanks. You will likely make that person’s day.
Practice Self Care.
In ‘The Currency of Gratitude’ I discuss how successful self-care can be a way of fuelling our ability to experience gratitude. In times of uncertainty, anxiety can easily fuel thoughts of doubt while chipping away at our sense of self-worth. However, it can also present us with a true opportunity to show our resilience. If we embrace and feel gratitude for what we have it can power our way forward.
Gratitude really is in short supply these days, though it seems we truly need it even more than ever. We are all so busy trying to get our to-do list checked off that we often forget to stop and acknowledge the people helping us along the way. It’s important to make time for small gestures, meaningful expressions, and authentic acknowledgements of others. Personally, and professionally, gratitude matters because we matter. Gratitude is a subject that I am passionate about, so much so that I wrote a book on the subject--The Currency of Gratitude.
WHAT DOES THE CURRENCY OF GRATITUDE REALLY MEAN?
Like money, gratitude is a commodity that when exchanged creates value. Give gratitude and your returns will come in ways you never imagined. Likewise, when you are the recipient of true gratitude, the benefits are immense. When least expected, gratitude reminds us that someone cares and that we matter.
It sounds simple because it is. But sadly, it’s not something that many regard as being all that important. In The Currency of Gratitude, I argue that making gratitude a priority in your personal and professional life contributes positively to work-life blend, personal growth and business success.
COMMON COURTESY ISN’T SO COMMON ANYMORE
As I look around the world today, I often wonder what happened to common courtesy. Small gestures of gratitude like a simple acknowledgement, a “please” or a “thank you” have gone by the wayside. What do we do to bring back the common courtesies and introduce an authentic practice of gratitude? If you’re a business owner, I think it starts with a team culture built on a foundation of gratitude, as I call it, “branding from within”.
WHAT IS “BRANDING FROM WITHIN™”?
I am a strong proponent of small, authentic gestures that create big results - both personally and professionally.
For an individual, making gratitude a habit through acknowledgment, appreciation, and support goes a long way toward creating a tribe that both appreciates and supports you.
For a business, when you foster a culture of gratitude, you create a foundation of loyalty, trust, and collaboration, essentially building a team of internal brand ambassadors. These brand ambassadors – those who live and breathe your brand – not only help drive improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, supported by external marketing, they contribute to building the awareness of your brand that propels your business forward.
In The Currency of Gratitude, by sharing real-life examples and personal stories, I discuss immediate and practical ways for promoting gratitude within both your personal life and your business culture. Published by Forbes, it’s out now and it’s my privilege to share it with you.
Get your copy on Amazon Today.
Not every workday is the same. Some days you can fly through your to-do list with ease and other days finding the right place to start can be a challenge on its own.
Establishing consistency with good habits will set you up for a productive day and allow you to leave the proverbial office feeling accomplished. Here are five habits to start adopting today:
#1 – Start the day out with a plan and stick to it.
Take five minutes at the beginning of your day to write down what you need to complete and visualize the outcome of your day. Keep your list short and focused on the day ahead of you. Lucky for you, we have got the perfect tool to help you plan your next steps.
#2 – Take mental breaks to reset your thought process.
We have all experienced it. You are making progress on a project and then suddenly you catch yourself staring indifferently into your computer screen. Take that as a sign that your brain needs a breather. Step away, reset your thoughts and come back with a fresh perspective.
# 3 – Keep gas in the tank.
Skipping a meal can happen easily when you are in the zone on a project. Eating regular meals will provide you with the physical and mental energy needed to accomplish your tasks for the day.
#4 – Eliminate distractions.
Working remotely comes with a unique set of distractions. Casual conversations have been replaced with more emails and direct messages. These small distractions compound throughout the day and disrupt your workflow. Block off time in your calendar each day to close out of your email, Slack or Teams to stay focused on a task.
#5 – Show your gratitude.
“Sincere acknowledgment and appreciation yield a surprising return on investment.” Taking time to show support for those you work with will foster a collaborative environment and will improve productivity throughout your day.
The first sentence in my new book, The Currency of Gratitude (Available April 13th) starts like this: Common courtesy is not so common anymore. This is even more relevant today, one year into a pandemic that has thrown us all the ultimate curveball. It is fair to feel like you’re still struggling to navigate your day-to-day responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the need for recognition has never been higher and a moment of gratitude from a colleague or leader can go a long way to boost morale.
Here are a few tips on how to recognize your employees and clients in today’s environment.
#1 – Make it Personal
Building a relationship with those you work with takes time and energy; two things that may feel in short supply. But building a strong personal relationship can pay off and will allow you to understand when moments of gratitude are needed.
Personal milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries are important to your staff and recognizing these can go a long way in building relationships. The more time you take to build a relationship with co-workers, the more chances you will have to celebrate those milestones together.
#2 – Find New Ways to Say Thank You
With limited face-to-face interaction between teams, it can be hard to express gratitude in today’s work environment. There are no high-fives, handshakes, or fist bumps when you are working in isolation. Therefore, we need to get creative in how we show our gratitude and recognize our teams. Here are a few ideas you can start doing immediately:
#3 – Don’t diminish the weight of spontaneous recognition.
Every interaction you have with your team or clients is an opportunity to recognize that things are different and to show appreciation for the situation we are in. Recognition does not always need to come in the form of a plaque or salary increase (though they are nice). Taking an extra minute or two after a conference call to say “good job” and to point out some strengths will keep morale high and build confidence in your team.
Michele Bailey is president and CEO of Blazing Agency and My Big Idea®. These two lines of business work congruently to support her clients’ success.