Effective Leadership: Tips for Giving Feedback to New Hires Without Demotivating Them

Giving feedback helps employees grow, builds better teams, and creates a productive workplace. When working with new hires, your advice will set the tone for their working experience. It influences how they view the company and how fast they gain the confidence to work alongside their new peers.

While giving feedback to new hires has many benefits, it’s easy to demotivate. Here is a helpful guide on encouraging growth and inspiring new hires with your feedback.

 

⭐ Be Clear and Specific When Giving Feedback

Vague comments like telling an employee they did a good job or need improvement don’t offer much value. They can leave your new hires guessing what they did well and what areas they need to work on.

Provide clear and specific feedback to ensure new hires understand what to repeat and adjust. For example, let them know you love their attention to detail after they identify an error in a report.

You may also inform them that they should practice more before presenting ideas instead of saying they lack confidence. Phrasing your comments in such a manner removes ambiguity and helps new hires strategize.

Here are other strategies for ensuring your feedback is clear and specific:

• Break the feedback into small bits to avoid information overload
• Give specific details and use examples in your explanations
• Use what and why statements to focus on solving the problem

When giving feedback, explain to new hires how their actions affect the team, project, or firm. Understanding the bigger picture may help them see why their work matters, which is often motivating.

Giving too much feedback at once can overwhelm a new hire and make it harder for them to focus on what’s most important. Stick to one or two actionable points per conversation, and save other topics for future discussions.

 

⭐ Understand the Power of First Impressions

The first few weeks in a job can be nerve-wracking for new hires, who will be eager to prove themselves. They may be highly sensitive to feedback, and even a comment you think is gentle may catch them off guard.

Your early interactions with new hires will shape their mindset for months or even years. When giving feedback, create a great first impression by making it feel like a conversation.

Ask questions to understand their thought process first. You may then use this information to tailor your guidance without making the recipient feel judged.

 

⭐ Balance Positive and Negative Feedback

Nobody wants to feel like all they do is mess up, especially when trying to establish themselves in a new workplace. Your new hires can quickly lose motivation if all they get from you are corrections and complaints.

Be a great leader by balancing positive reinforcement and constructive guidance. Start with something positive about the new hires’ work, then mention what you think they should improve. After that, end on a positive note and offer some encouraging words or advice. Applying this method makes feedback easier to digest and reassures employees that they are doing something right.

 

⭐ Build Trust By Being Empathetic

Empathy is a top sign of emotional intelligence and can be helpful when giving feedback. Before saying anything, put yourself in the new hires’ shoes and think of how you would perceive the message.

Instead of being harsh and critical, use kind language, focusing on the effort and potential. For example, let an employee know you noticed they put a lot of effort into the work. After that, inform them that most people struggle with such tasks at first, then work through the problem with them.

By showing understanding, you make new hires feel supported. Further, you will build trust and encourage them to stay open to learning.

Other tips for showing empathy when giving feedback to new hires include:

• Celebrate their effort, not just the outcome
• Use positive body language
• Frame the challenges they are facing as growth opportunities
• Show genuine investment in their success

If you’re giving feedback to new hires who seem stressed, you should ask them how they feel. Sometimes, they just need to voice their concerns and get reassurance.

When you engage a worker, you may be surprised to discover they had great ideas but failed to use them in a project because they were skeptical. With your guidance and empathy, they can quickly gain confidence and make efficient changes in their approaches.

 

⭐ Choose the Right Time and Place to Give Feedback

Timing and environment matter when delivering feedback and can influence how a new hire receives it. Pointing out mistakes in a team meeting or in front of their peers can be embarrassing. It may cause resentment and insecurity, affecting the confidence and willingness to engage.

When correcting a new employee, you should save the discussion for a private meeting. Such a session will give them room to focus on the message without feeling exposed. It also allows them to ask questions and gain more insights from your feedback.

Waiting too long to address an issue is confusing because an employee may wonder why you are bringing the issue up at that time.

They might not clearly remember what happened,  which makes it harder for them to connect your comments to their actions. Delaying feedback can also convey that the mistake wasn’t critical or worth correcting.

Provide your input as soon as possible, ideally within the same day or the next day after an event. For example, if a new hire misses a crucial step during a task, follow up immediately. This way, you will address issues quickly and grab teaching moments instead of waiting for the formal review.

A noisy or high-pressure setting can make it difficult for new hires to focus on what you’re saying. Choose a calm and distraction-free location where they feel comfortable when getting feedback.

Use a quiet room or meet when the office is less busy. If you work remotely, set up a private meeting and ensure the employee is in a comfortable space before the discussion starts.

 

Improve Your New Hires’ Efficiency With Strategic Feedback

Giving feedback to new hires is an effective way to shape their career journey. When thoughtful and strategic, you can inspire confidence and encourage growth. You’ll also help them trust you and ensure your message isn’t vague or condescending.

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