"Within a learning-driven organization, negative feedback is seen as constructive feedback," Jessica Jones writes in an article for Governing. She is a learning and development manager charged with employee learning, development, and onboarding programs at CivicPlus.
"Moreover, constructive feedback comes from coaches who are there to help employees put their best foot forward and grow to their fullest potential--not bosses evaluating their employees," writes Jones, whose company serves as an integrated technology platform for local governments. "When our employees grow to their fullest potential, everyone wins."
Prepping ahead of time for one-on-one coaching sessions is important. To start, a manager should briefly discuss the feedback they have for the employee and what they would like to accomplish by the end of the session.
"Beginning with why the conversation is important helps prevent the feedback from seeming negative and personal and moves the tone, instead, to one of encouragement and improvement," Jones writes.