A Culture of Trust for Effective Feedback

Trust is essential in employee-manager relationships.

Credit union leaders know that exceptional levels of employee engagement mean exceptional member service and strong financial performance. Engagement arises from a culture of trust. Feedback conversations performed well foster trust. The art of providing feedback is an essential communication skill that can and must be developed. Done well, it will improve morale, build skills and take the organization to higher levels of effectiveness. Done poorly, it will do the opposite. Effective feedback interactions involve a complex dynamic that includes the relationship between the two individuals, the mindset of the recipient and their generational attitudes, the frequency of the interaction and the type of conversation. It’s not easy.

A relationship of trust between two people gives feedback the best chance of working well. A good place to start is self-awareness on the part of the manager, which makes them better able to be in tune with the feedback recipient. Managers should keep their eyes and ears open to assess and understand the employee’s situation. They should not be afraid to hear what’s on someone’s mind or to receive constructive feedback themselves in a productive way. With trust, employees recognize that leaders want them to grow and develop to their potential to deliver results and provide value.