What are the best ways to give employee feedback?

Giving feedback to employees is one of the most misunderstood and poorly executed HR processes, according to ClearRock, an outplacement and executive coaching firm. Managers and executives too often personalize their feedback to their direct reports, go into too much extraneous detail, are too judgmental or forget to include positive observations along with negative comments. Employees benefit most from feedback that is given properly.

ClearRock provides these guidelines for giving employee feedback:

• Focus on the positive first before giving criticism;

• Remain non-judgmental and do not personalize feedback;

• Limit feedback to those areas the employee has the ability to change;

• Use the word I, and not we;

• Avoid over-dumping on someone-one behavioral example will likely suffice;

• Give the recipient a chance to respond;

• When receiving feedback, keep it in perspective and don't get overly defensive;

• Provide your reaction when given the chance to respond; and

• Commit to what you have learned in a concrete, practical way and encourage the employee to do the same.