Does anyone have suggestions on how to deliver feedback for remote employees? Should I only deliver it in one on ones? Should it only be over the phone? Can I deliver it via IM?
Most of our conversations happen over IM with the occasional phone call. My thought was it would be a little "weird" or unconfortable to suddenly ask them if they can talk real quick on the phone. (Yes, I also know that "management isn't easy" as Mark says...) At the same time, I realize that feedback is also about the relationship and that the direct would get more out of feedback if it was done via the phone. But a phone call seems a "bit much" for a 15 second delivery of feedback as well as the (minimal) cost of a long distance phone call or the use of a conference number for that short of a time period.
What do others do in these types of instances?
Thanks for your advice!
- Scott M.
This has come up before.
This has come up before. Use the telephone. While positive feedback will most likely be well received via IM, writing down adjusting feedback looks a lot like "documenting".
Simple rules:
Never in IM. Never in email.
On the phone, or in person.
John Hack
Start in steps
I started by just getting myself and them used to quick phone calls for questions or topics. The first couple got a response of surprise but after that it felt natural. Then they started doing it sometimes too. I'd sometimes start them out by saying that I'd been typing too much and needed to hear a voice instead ... with a laugh. The "high-C" types struggled more with this but the other people really seemed to like getting a call sometimes and often we'd chat about something else. It was like me ducking my head in the door of someone local.
After that I'd go to positive feedback and then adjusting.
NOTE: I would always make sure I had time for more than just my question. Often I'd get a "while you're on the phone can I ask you" response after I asked the question or gave the feedback. I think it would appear pretty selfish to call and not have at least a few minutes to talk. For me, with the phone there is an expectation of the possibility of a conversation. But that is similar to when I duck my head in a door. I sometimes get a "have you got a minute?" response. I either stop and take a minute or make sure I know when I could before I stick my head in.
I'd say the ideal is in
I'd say the ideal is in person, then on a video skype call, then on the phone. I'd never do it in any way where your tone of voice is not audible. Nothing written. Ever.
this is covered in a few
this is covered in a few different casts - I think both in the feedback cast and the distant manager cast.
Bottom line is that its the same delivery. As long as it done verbally.
george
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