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Feedback Self-Insight

I was very surprised when one of the employees in my department told me that she believes I have been picking on her. Her work has been slipping lately, and I have had to discuss it with her more frequently. How do I deal with her claim?



A. It's actually a good sign when your employee feels she can openly communicate with you about her views of your managerial style, even if she feels that the management style you have picked is to pick on her.

In dealing with her claim, be sure to take an honest look at the way you are providing her with feedback. If her performance has indeed been going south, she does need feedback, but there are all sorts of ways to provide it, ranging from coaching to berating. Employees tend to feel less picked on and put upon when feedback is provided very close to the problematic behavior, expressed in descriptive rather than evaluative language, and is concluded with some guidance and positive expectations.

A related approach that may help reduce this employee's negative feelings is for her to play a greater role in evaluating her own work. By doing so, she will be more likely to focus on her performance rather than on yours.




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