Our Favorite Management Tips of 2021; Harvard Business Review, December 30, 2021

HBR Editors, Harvard Business Review; Our Favorite Management Tips of 2021

"Another year, another set of challenges and responsibilities for managers to tackle. Hybrid work, the Great Resignation, mass burnout — on and on. Each weekday, in our Management Tip of the Day newsletter, HBR offers daily tips to help you better manage your teams — and yourselves — through this period of profound change and uncertainty. Here are 10 of our favorite tips from 2021...

How to Give Critical Feedback — Remotely

Giving critical feedback is one of your most challenging responsibilities as a manager — and if you’re working remotely, it’s even harder. How can you update your approach to giving feedback in a WFH world? Here are some key steps to keep in mind:

• Start by asking questions. You need to understand your employee’s perception of their performance before expressing yours.
• Show specific appreciation before laying out criticism. They’ll be more likely to be receptive to your feedback if they trust that you value them.
• State your positive intentions. Something as simple as “I’m in your corner” can go a long way.
• Clarify and contrast. “I’m saying X, I’m not saying Y.”
• Ask your employee to state their key takeaways from the conversation.

We’re all under intense stress from the pandemic. Taking care to deliver your feedback with clarity and sensitivity will help people focus on the reality of your message, even in a remote environment.

Adapted from “Giving Critical Feedback Is Even Harder Remotely,” by Therese Huston"