Why I hate feedback: Anchoring effective feedback within organizations

More than ever, business practitioners perceive feedback as a vital tool for increasing sustainable business competitiveness; however, research on feedback shows mixed results in terms of its effectiveness. Three problems underlie the paradox of feedback. First, the word ‘feedback’ lacks definition. Both scholars and practitioners have different understandings of what feedback means. This lack of clarity hampers successful implementation of feedback as a corporate reflex. Second, feedback can be destructive. In fact, toxic feedback might disengage employees from their jobs. Third, giving and receiving feedback is more difficult than we sometimes like to think. The mantra “our organization has an open feedback culture” does not alone suffice to support effective feedback behavior. This Executive Digest addresses these issues and introduces the feedback ecosystem: a four-step process (receive, reflect, plan, act) bridging theory and practice to anchor effective feedback within organizations. In addition, evidence-based advice is offered on how to implement each step of the feedback ecosystem.     

Avoiding a “me” versus “we” dilemma: Using performance management to turn teams into a source of competitive advantage

Teams are pervasive in today's world of work. Unfortunately, in many cases teams do not live up to their promise and, instead, lead to disappointing results. In this installation of Human Performance, we discuss how to design and implement performance management systems that include a good combination of both “me” and “we” considerations. We offer the following research-based recommendations: (1) use measures of individual and team performance, (2) use measures of processes and outcomes, (3) develop performance measures using input from inside and outside the team, (4) gather performance information using sources from inside and outside the team, (5) foster team learning and development, and (6) reward both individual and team performance. We discuss implementation guidelines for each of these recommendations that will help maximize individual and team performance as well as alignment among individual, team, and organizational goals. Implementing performance management systems following our recommendations will help organizations turn teams into an inimitable and sustainable source of competitive human capital advantage.     

Aligning employees through “line of sight”

Aligning employees with the firm's larger strategic goals is critical if organizations hope to manage their human capital effectively and ultimately attain strategic success. An important component of attaining and sustaining this alignment is for employees to have a “line of sight” (LOS) with their organization's strategic objectives. In this article, we illustrate how the translation of calculated firm goals into tangible results requires that employees not only understand the organization's strategy, but also accurately appreciate what actions are aligned with realizing that strategy. Using recent empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and tangible examples of exemplary firm practices, we provide thought-leaders with a comprehensive view of LOS by showing how it can be created, how it can be enhanced or stifled, and how it can be effectively managed. Further, we integrate LOS with current thinking on employee alignment to help managers more effectively benefit from understanding human capital potential.