An easy way to make one of your team members feel great

In some organizations employees are asked to confidentially evaluate their peers. I don’t like this idea. I think people will always figure out who said what about them, leading to nothing but trouble.

Bosses should know employee performance inside-out. If they don’t, they should never use employee peers as a crutch. Great bosses pay attention, and truly know the people they lead.

I do use this idea a very different way and it works wonders. Before a scheduled coaching session with one of my team, I will talk to their immediate co-workers, usually one-on-one, but sometimes in a group and ask them simply, “what is great about Ann”. I then make up a list of the best of what each person said.

During the feedback part of the coaching session, I read back to the person what their team mates most appreciate about them and I name names.

•Kevin really appreciates how much you care about your customers, for example how you pushed through that improvement for XYZ Company.
•Leanne loves being able to bounce tough situations off you; you are always willing to listen and she especially loves that you appreciate her sense of humour.
•Kristen loves that no matter how busy you are, you always have time to help her and you really seem to care about her success.
•Jason thinks you are a super star at everything you do. Definitely an A player.

I do this as part of a scheduled meeting, but you can do this anytime.

This process makes not just Ann, but Kevin, Leanne, Kristen and Jason all feel good too. Try it!

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.