Do Something! Get Feedback From Your Employees

It may take some intestinal fortitude, but it’s worth it to ask for feedback from your employees, including both professional and non-professional staff. Ask questions like:

• Do you know what is expected of you?
• Do you have specific goals that have been discussed with the firm or your supervisor?
• Do you receive clear instructions and deadlines for the projects or work you are given?
• Are you receiving the guidance you need in order to perform your job well?
• Do you have the materials and equipment you need to perform your job well?
• Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
• Are your co-workers committed to doing quality work?
• Is the firm committed to doing quality work?
• Do you have sufficient autonomy to do your job?
• Do you receive sufficient feedback about your performance?
• Is the feedback you receive about your performance timely?
• How can our feedback and evaulation process be improved?
• Does the firm provide sufficient career opportunities?
• Have you been provided with opportunities to learn and grow at the firm?
• Do you know the mission of the firm?
• Does the firm’s mission make you feel that your work is important?
• In the last 7 days, have you received recognition or praise for good work?
• In the last six months, have you spoken with someone about your progress?
• How comfortable do you feel bringing suggestions to partners/management?
• Can the firm’s culture be improved to better support the firm’s stated policies? How?
• How can communication within the firm be improved?
• What suggestions do you have for improving the firm?
• How can we help you do your job better?

One final note: if you’re going to ask for feedback, take it seriously and make sure that your employees are aware that they’ve been heard. Act on what you can and explain the items you are unable to act on. There’s nothing worse than asking for feedback and then ignoring it.