Feedback from Employees Can Make Better Managers
In a recent study, it has been found that employees who provide constructive feedback to their managers help the latter in improving their professional nature.
The research has been jointly funded by Investors in People, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and the HSE. The findings of the research were unveiled at the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology Annual Conference.
The main emphasis of the research was on the relationship between employees and managers, which often creates stressful situations in the workplace. During the survey, 150 managers were asked to evaluate their managerial capabilities and about 500 employees were told to asses how their managers fared at their workplace.
The managers were grouped into those that had been imparted training and/or given feedback on their managerial abilities and those that did not receive any feedback. The feedback and training emphasised on positive behaviours that on the part of managers that can reduce stress-levels in workers.
The group that received constructive feedback from employees were found to be eager to improve themselves, and they evolved as better managers. The behaviour expected of them included:
- having more emotional control and integrity
- getting a better grip on the work at hand and future work, and communicating the same effectively
- managing team members with empathy
- be more capable in conflict management
Managers who were not provided any feedback did not mend their ways and continued with their behaviour. It was thus discovered that constructive feedback can have a positive impact and can change the behaviour of managers.
A research team led by Ms Donaldson-Feilder is in the process of developing effective tools that can be used at the workplace. One of these tools is a detailed questionnaire that will serve as rating criteria for managers. The rating will be done by employees. Other tools include specific learning modules meant for line managers. These tools will soon be available online.
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