The Thoughtful Leaders Blog

Are you a Perpetual Happy-Face or a Permanent Frown-Face?

Posted by Robyn McLeod on June 30, 2011

Performance feedback is a subject that generates a great deal of debate, angst, and even anger. Those receiving feedback quite often feel it is inadequate, vague, overly critical, or overly solicitous. Those giving feedback often feel they don’t have time for meaningful discussion, they did not deliver the message they had hoped to, or the reaction they received was not what they expected.
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Filed under: Communicate/communication,Leadership,Managing,Team development - Tags: feedback, guidance, motivation, performance management —

Five key ingredients for lowering your performance review anxiety

Posted by Robyn McLeod on February 25, 2011

It’s that time of year again – the dreaded performance review! In many organizations, performance evaluation write-ups and discussions are in full swing right now – and anxiety levels can run high for managers preparing the reviews and employees waiting to receive their feedback. But it does not have to be that way. When we teach Effective Feedback in our leadership development programs we advise managers to make feedback an ongoing part of their regular interaction with staff members. That way, the annual review is merely a summary and culmination of the developmental discussions that have been taking place throughout the year. Stress goes way down!
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Filed under: Communicate/communication,Managing,Thoughtful leadership - Tags: feedback, Leadership, Managing, performance management —

Six questions you must ask yourself to stay strategic

Posted by Cathy Alfandre on November 17, 2010

One common thread across consistently successful leaders is their strategic perspective—not just about the business, but also about themselves and their own careers. In one sense, the strategic view means that they have a long-term picture of what they want to achieve. But just as importantly, it means they are repeatedly making a point to step back from day-to-day work and examine the value they are bringing to the organization right now.
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Filed under: Awareness,Change and grow,Leadership,Managing - Tags: achievement, feedback, Leadership, Managing, performance management —

Choose your thoughts

Posted by Chatsworth Consulting Group on November 15, 2010

“Nothing is either good or bad. It’s thinking that makes it so.” Benjamin Franklin

Have you ever noticed how two people can experience the same thing, and view it completely differently? You may walk out of a meeting and turn to your colleague with frustration and share, “That was the biggest waste of time I’ve ever experienced.” Your colleague looks at you with surprise and says, “Really? I thought we really got somewhere today!”
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Filed under: Awareness,Managing,Personal growth,The Thoughtful Leaders Minute - Tags: Managing, performance management, perspectives, thoughtful leadership —

Feedback can be a gift

Posted by Ben Dattner on August 25, 2010

In the current economic environment, it is crucial for individuals, teams and organizations to continuously improve their performance. Getting and giving useful performance feedback, whether through a formal performance appraisal system, or through less formal, more ad-hoc tools like Rypple, can help greatly. Regardless of whether you are providing feedback in a formal annual review, a brief Rypple survey, or at the water cooler, here are some tips to keep in mind when providing feedback:
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