Constructive feedback : a rare art of managers

Abstract EN

Constructive feedback unarguably helps in the creation of self-awareness, clarification of expectations, building and maintenance of harmonious work relations, promotion of employees’ engagements and enthusiasms, boosting performance and productivity, as well as promotion of efficiency and effectiveness of work among others.

However, in the quest for an increased productivity and profitability, Managers are tempted to neglect building human capacity through constructive feedback.

This ultimately results in high staff turnover, inefficiencies, industrial disputes and low productivity in organizations.

This paper did a scholarly review of literature on why constructive feedback is rare among managers despite its inherent benefits.

It concluded that most managers shy away from the art because of its cost implication, time consumption, lack of self-confidence, fear of confrontation and straining relationships, lack of feedback experience, and fear of appearing weak.

The paper recommended that managers embrace the ideologies of the humanistic theory of management such as compassion and empathy as well as being genuinely committed to a whole-person growth and development towards optimal performance, growth and wellbeing of employees as well as organizational growth and prosperity.

Keywords: Feedback, Feedforward, Constructive feedback