Accepting Feedback and Making Changes

Feedback is verbal or written comments that a supervisor makes about an employee’s performance at work.  It is the supervisor’s job to provide feedback to the employees about their work performance. Feedback is important so that the job gets done correctly. Feedback is given:

• When a project or task has been completed
• While you are working on a project or task
• At a quarterly or yearly performance review

Feedback from a supervisor can be positive or negative.

Here are examples of positive feedback (praise) from a supervisor: “You did a great job with that project.” “I appreciate how hard you have been working.” “That looks perfect!” “Nice job.” If the feedback is positive, always say “thank you.”  Every employee receives negative feedback at some point. If you are told you need to improve or make changes, you need to correct your work or make the necessary changes to your work.

There are several different situations in which you will need to make changes to your work.

• A policy or system change.

Example:  Your workplace switches from paper records to electronic records. 
Example: Your workplace buys new equipment that you need to learn to use.

• Your supervisor changes their mind about how something should be done.

Example: Your supervisor wants the tables to be set differently than before.
Example: Your supervisor wants the order of a mailing to be different.

• You are doing something incorrectly.

Example: You are arriving to work late.
Example: You are putting the files in the wrong file cabinet.

Your supervisor could also tell you to do something differently from the way you think something should be done.  Sometimes supervisors seem bossy by telling you what to do.  The thing is - They are the boss! Supervisors set the rules for how things should be done at the job.  If you do not agree with what your supervisor says, it is okay to ask questions to clarify what you should be doing.  But once you understand what they are saying, you should do your job the way your supervisor said to do it, even if you do not agree.

There is more than one way of doing a job so sometimes, you may have to do things differently than you are used to or than the way you think the job should be done.

Getting feedback or criticism from a supervisor can be very hard.  When a supervisor gives you feedback, it can make you feel sad or even angry.  Remember that everyone gets feedback and everyone makes mistakes - Not just you!  A good employee listens to the feedback from their supervisor and fixes their mistakes.

Remember and tell yourself these things if you get frustrated:

• "Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you fix your mistakes that counts."
• "I am not a bad person - getting feedback is normal."
• "I can do this!"

There are several things you can do to correct your mistakes or make changes to your work: First, listen to your supervisor about what needs to be done differently.  You show that you are listening by: Looking towards your supervisor. Not interrupting. Keeping a pleasant expression on your face. Keeping a calm and pleasant tone of voice. Nodding your head and saying things like, "Okay" or "Yes" Then, calmly and respectfully ask your supervisor questions about what you should do differently if you do not understand or are unsure of something.  You could also ask a support person or friend for help.  For example, if you are told you are arriving to work late consistently, ask a roommate or friend to help you find a way to get to work on time.  Then you need to correct your mistakes or change what you are doing based on the feedback you have been given.  Make the change that your supervisor has told you to make.  Do it right away.