Written by: Last updated: Jan 17, 2023
In a post-COVID world, companies are struggling to keep their employees engaged and their turnover levels within reason. However, according to Gartner, many employers are forecasted to contend with a 50-75% higher turnover rate when compared with recent years.
Managers are being tasked with not only driving results but attracting and retaining talented individuals for their teams. One of the best ways managers can drive growth for their company and satisfaction for their employees is listening and actively seeking feedback
Why is Employee Feedback Important?
There are numerous benefits to prioritizing employee feedback, both for your workers and for your company. From increased performance to better results for your business, here are five reasons employee feedback is important.
Feeling Unheard Will Harm Employee Satisfaction
It’s no secret that employers are struggling to keep their workers engaged and satisfied with their jobs. A 2019 Deloitte survey reports that only 49% of employees are satisfied in their current roles. One simple way to improve satisfaction in your workplace is by speaking with your employees and ensuring that they feel heard. This will go a long way to create mutual trust with your workers.
Communication Fosters a Culture of Trust
According to a recent study, more than one third of the workforce thinks their company does not listen to their ideas. With trust between employers and their employees dwindling, it’s essential to take steps to reconnect with your team. You can encourage a culture of trust by listening to team members’ feedback and using their input to make your company better.
Not Listening Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
Having a thorough understanding of your department and how things operate is an essential part of business growth. One of the best ways to ensure you really know what’s going on is to seek out different perspectives. Your employees likely see things in their day-to-day roles that give them a unique view of the business. By regularly seeking out their feedback, you can catch mistakes and inefficiencies early on, saving your business money in the process.
Feedback is a Catalyst for Action
There is no better way to keep a pulse on the health of your organization than speaking with your workers. While data and numbers might say whether or not you hit your quarterly revenue goals, there are many things that only listening to your people will reveal. When you prioritize employee feedback, you can make more informed decisions on how to best move your company forward.
Listening Encourages Increased Performance
According to a Gallup survey, more than 87% of employees feel disengaged in the workplace. Disengagement can lead to lower performance among your workers. The most simple and effective way to ensure your employees show up to work engaged and ready to perform is by taking their input seriously.
How to Make Employee Listening a Priority
Now that you understand why listening to employees is important for both your workers and your company, let’s explore ways you can gather and implement feedback from your team.
Meet with Your Team Regularly
Whether you are back in the office, are on a hybrid schedule, or continue to work remotely, meeting with your team is essential to overall morale. Setting aside dedicated time will ensure you’re able to discuss project updates, gain feedback, and even do team-building exercises your staff will actually enjoy.
Schedule One-on-One Meetings
While group meetings are a great way to build trust with your team, it’s also imperative to schedule regular one-on-one meeting with your staff. Not only are these individual meetings a great time to check in on things like quarterly and annual goals, but they also provide a safe space for your employees to provide you with feedback that they might not otherwise be comfortable sharing in front of the rest of the team.
Hold Regular Employee Surveys
One additional way to gather feedback from your team is to send out surveys to your employees. Giving your workers an anonymous outlet to share their thoughts is the best way to gather unfiltered feedback. These surveys are also a great way to collect information on how satisfied your team is and prioritize employee engagement.
Follow Up on Employee Feedback
While listening to your employees is crucial for creating a healthy team, you must also follow up on the feedback you receive. Putting your team’s input into action and showcasing your commitment to transparency is one of the most impactful ways to keep your employees feeling engaged and satisfied at work.
The Best Managers Listen to Employee Feedback
Not only is prioritizing input from your employees a crucial part of maintaining a high-performing team, but it’s also key to becoming a better manager and leader. Whether you are working toward that next promotion or want to learn how to better lead your current team, USF’s Corporate Training and Professional Education offers a variety of courses and certifications to help you advance in your career.
