Communication is a crucial skill for success in any workplace. As a manager, being able to provide constructive feedback on communication skills can help your team members develop and thrive. This article will provide tips and examples for giving feedback on various aspects of communication.
Listening Skills
Listening actively is one of the most important communication skills When providing feedback on listening, consider how well the employee
- Maintains eye contact and gives full attention during conversations
- Allows others to finish speaking before responding
- Asks clarifying questions to ensure understanding
- Restates or summarizes key points to confirm they comprehended the message
Example feedback
“I appreciate your ability to listen to others. In our staff meetings, you always make eye contact with who is speaking and restate the main points to confirm your understanding. This helps keep our discussions productive.”
“One area for improvement is allowing me to fully finish speaking before responding. I’ve noticed sometimes you jump in before I’ve completed my thought. Taking a breath after I finish will allow me to fully communicate complex ideas.”
Written Communication
Writing skills like emailing, documentation, and messaging are also important for workplace communication. When giving feedback on writing, look at:
- Tone and professionalism
- Organization and structure of documents
- Clarity and readability of writing
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Example feedback:
“The monthly reports you’ve been emailing have been excellently written. They are structured in a logical way and very clearly present the data. The professional tone makes them easy for any team member to read and understand.”
“Your Slack messages are concise yet contain the key details needed. Keep up this effective written communication with the team.”
“For areas to improve, try organizing long email chains with clear subject lines and bullet point lists to make the key points easy to find.”
Nonverbal Communication
Body language and tone of voice are also key parts of communication skills. When observing nonverbal signals, look for whether they:
- Maintain open and approachable body language
- Make steady eye contact during conversations
- Convey enthusiasm and positivity through tone of voice and facial expressions
Example feedback:
“In meetings you always sit facing the speaker and maintain eye contact, conveying that you are engaged and listening openly. This creates a welcoming environment for discussions.”
“I’ve noticed you sometimes cross your arms when receiving feedback. Being aware of keeping an open posture can help convey receptiveness.”
“Your tone stays steady and calm even during stressful situations. This tranquil presence helps reassure the team.”
Clarity and Concision
How well an employee communicates verbally can impact workplace relationships and productivity. When giving feedback on speaking, consider:
- Ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely
- Skill at adjusting communication style for different audiences
- Use of precise vocabulary relevant to the topic
Example feedback:
“Thank you for always expressing your thoughts or concerns to me in a clear and professional manner. I appreciate you getting straight to the main point without unnecessary details.”
“In client meetings, you speak simply and avoid complex jargon. This helps the clients understand our services, even when discussing technical topics.”
“One area for improvement could be avoiding use of slang or shorthand in emails to senior leadership. Using more formal language can help convey professionalism.”
Interpersonal Skills
Relating well to colleagues is another essential communication ability. When observing relationship-building skills, look for whether the employee:
- Collaborates well in teams by listening and contributing ideas
- Resolves conflict in a constructive manner
- Provides support and encouragement to colleagues
Example feedback:
“I’ve noticed you have strong communication skills, especially in group settings. In brainstorming sessions, you listen attentively and build on others’ ideas. This collaborative approach leads to better solutions.”
“While you have excellent relationships across the department, there is opportunity to build rapport with other teams. Reaching out proactively could help increase cooperation on interdepartmental projects.”
“Thank you for graciously giving constructive feedback to teammates. You point out areas for growth while emphasizing positive intent, which facilitates improvement.”
Remote Communication
With remote work increasing, communication skills now need to translate through online channels. When giving feedback on digital communication, look for whether the employee:
- Chooses appropriate medium for each message (chat vs. email vs. video call)
- Conveys tone effectively using only written or audio channels
- Communication frequently to align with team members
Example feedback:
“I know a lot of our work happens on the computer, making communication extra important. You’ve done exceptionally keeping the team aligned through frequent check-ins on Slack and email.”
“One thing that could help is setting up occasional video calls with teammates you don’t interact with as often. Talking face-to-face can build stronger working relationships.”
“When giving critical feedback via chat, take care to proofread messages and use wording that conveys your constructive intent. This will prevent misinterpretations.”
Key Takeaways for Feedback on Communication
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Focus on specific communication skills you want the employee to develop rather than generalizations. This gives actionable improvement areas.
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Balance positive and constructive feedback to boost confidence while providing growth opportunities.
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Ask employees for self-assessment first to encourage reflective thinking. Then provide your own observations.
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After giving recommendations for improvement, follow up to see if communication skills are progressing. Offer additional guidance as needed.
Strong communication abilities are crucial for any employee and team. With proper feedback techniques, managers can develop these skills to maximize effectiveness. Tailoring your approach to the individual and being specific yet supportive will optimize growth. Ongoing discussions around communication will lead to positive outcomes for both employees and the organization.
Failure to address diverse perspectives
Different ways of thinking and diverse perspectives within a team can become a challenge if not acknowledged and addressed. Failure to foster open communication about differing viewpoints may hinder innovation and collaboration.
Unintentional creation of silos
Ineffective communication may result in the unintentional creation of information silos within the organization. When teams or individuals fail to communicate seamlessly, it can lead to isolated pockets of information, hindering cross-functional collaboration.
Poor communication practices may contribute to a lack of accountability within teams. When information is not effectively conveyed, team members may not feel responsible for their roles, leading to a decrease in overall accountability and responsibility.
What Are Communication Skills? Top 10!
What communication skills can you provide feedback on?
Some examples of communication skills you can provide feedback on include active listening, presentation skills, emotional intelligence, confidence, empathy, respect, open-mindedness and body language. Here are examples you can review:
What are some examples of feedback on specific communication styles?
Here are some examples of feedback on specific communication styles: This is an example of positive feedback for a team member who listens effectively: “I want to thank you for always listening attentively during meetings. I notice the way you observe the speaker and always ask relevant questions.
How do I give feedback on communication skills during a performance review?
You may consider the following examples of feedback on communication skills during a performance review: If you want to praise your team member for their communication skills, here are some examples you can use as a guide: “I appreciate your ability to listen to others.
What are some examples of good feedback?
For any of these themes, it’s always good to have specific examples handy to help reinforce the feedback you’re giving. We’ll also give some sample scenarios of when these phrases might be most impactful and appropriate. An employee speaks over others and interrupts in team meetings. “I’ve noticed you can cut off team members or interrupt others.
