Master this skill that many managers lack

We have previously discussed on this blog the importance of giving your employees regular performance reviews in a skilled, thoughtful and sophisticated manner. Forbes calls the ability to offer both positive and negative feedback a foundational managerial skill, an assertion borne out by an ongoing study recently outlined in the Harvard Business Review (HBR).
Unsurprisingly, almost all 899 survey participants expressed a strong aversion to criticizing subordinates’ work. Anyone who has worked as a manager knows that it can be incredibly difficult, uncomfortable and unpleasant to give employees negative performance reviews, even if it is intended to help them get better at their jobs and move forward in their careers.
However, the survey found that workers are far less averse to “corrective” feedback than many of us assume. In fact, many respondents said they prefer hearing constructive critiques to praise, agreeing by a three-to-one margin that the former does more to improve their professional performance than the latter. In this case, it seems it is much easier to receive than to give. These findings illustrate that, while it may be hard for you, as a supervisor, to offer corrective feedback to your team, they likely want to hear it.
Finally, because so few managers are comfortable giving constructive criticism, anyone who does so with ease, confidence and finesse will undoubtedly stand out in their field. By mastering this skill, you’ll help your employees succeed while also advancing your own career. If you are a supervisor or executive who would like to be more adept at offering corrective feedback, invest in one of Mastery Technologies online management training courses. Courses cover topics such as leadership, feedback and recognition, decision making, delegation skills, and mentoring and coaching.