Bill Gates said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” Great leaders know positive feedback is essential to boost employee morale, productivity and engagement. So much so that recent Gallup data shows that when employees strongly agree they received “meaningful feedback” in the past week, they are almost four times as likely than their co-workers to be engaged. Not only does feedback need to be meaningful, but it also needs to be timely and frequent. That means giving in-the-moment feedback instead of waiting for the annual performance review.
Let’s not forget that feedback is a two-way street. Managers who embrace upward feedback can grow as leaders while motivating their teams. While there are different types of feedback, positive feedback focuses on achievements, strengths and what people are doing well. Besides building trust and morale, positive feedback promotes recognition, strengthening employees’ emotional connection to their work.
While we all like to receive praise, positive feedback isn’t just about showering your team with compliments. These positive feedback examples will help you frame your comments in a way that is effective and motivating.
1. Responding well to change
Change can be difficult for employees to adapt to—especially in today’s environment where staff reductions and reorganizations are becoming more common. Therefore, it pays to acknowledge people for their resilience and flexibility.
“I understand that the team has had to deal with significant organizational changes over the past month. Thank you for putting in the effort to make the changes smoother for the entire team. You’ve exemplified great team spirit and made the transition easier for everyone.”
2. Taking on additional responsibilities
As layoffs take hold, being one of the employees left behind can be difficult. In addition to layoff survivor guilt, there’s the relief that you still have a job and the overwhelm from taking on more work.
“I noticed that you’ve been taking on a lot of projects lately. I want you to know that you’re going a great job and your efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Let me know if you need any additional support.”
3. Working overtime
A report by ADP Research Institute found that employees 18 to 34 years old put in an average of eight hours and 30 minutes of unpaid overtime every week. Will these workers still feel driven to go the extra mile if their efforts are not recognized?
“Thank you for all the recent overtime you’ve worked to cover for people who are on vacation. Your efforts have helped us maintain our stellar customer service levels, ensuring that all projects get done in a timely manner.”
4. Making an impact as a new hire
Joining a new organization can be daunting, especially when dealing with information overload. That’s why making your new hire feel seen and valued is vital.
“I know it can seem intimidating to be a newcomer, but I want you to know that I’ve already received a lot of positive feedback about you from your teammates. You’ve been energized, positive and eager to learn which isn’t going unnoticed.”
5. Proposing a great idea
Another positive feedback example could be your employee contributing innovative ideas to a project. That’s something you want to encourage so they gain confidence and continue to share their thoughts.
“I just wanted to tell you what a great idea you had in the meeting this morning. I could tell you put a lot of thought into it and I think it will really help to accelerate the project timeline. Nice job!”
6. Meeting their goals
Just because you expect people to meet their goals doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve recognition. By acknowledging their efforts, you encourage people to continue performing.
“I noticed that you met all your goals for the quarter—outstanding work! You’re setting a great example for the rest of the team. I can’t wait to see the amazing results you’ll deliver next quarter.”
7. Helping to solve a challenging problem
When employees are problem-solvers, they go the extra mile. By encouraging that behavior, your staff will feel more empowered.
“You did an amazing job finding a way to eliminate those project roadblocks. Your idea put us ahead of schedule and I’m so grateful to have you on the team.”
8. Learning a new skill
A person who wants to develop their skills will embrace a growth mindset. If you have an employee who wants to learn something new, encourage them by providing positive feedback.
“I noticed you mastered that software program in a very short time. Let me know if there is anything else you’d like to learn what will make you more productive. I’m here to support you.”
9. Finishing a difficult task
When your employee finishes a difficult task, it shows drive and initiative. Show how thankful you are that they overcame an obstacle and delivered outstanding results.
“Congratulations on completing a really challenging project. I know how hard it was, but you managed to get through it with a great attitude and work ethic. Your teammates are also really proud of you.”
10. Being proactive
An employee who is proactive thinks ahead. Rather than wait for direction, they take the lead and look for solutions.
“I’ve seen you grow significantly over the last two years. Your proactive approach to issues is an inspiration to the team. Thank you for consistently going above and beyond.”
Employees want to be recognized by managers, senior leaders and even colleagues for their contributions. By creating a culture of feedback, you reinforce positive behaviors and help people feel valued for their contributions. In time, everyone will understand that feedback isn’t only encouraged. It’s a requirement to make the organization more successful in the long run.
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