What do working with rescue puppies and giving staff feedback have in common?

Turns out, a lot. The time I’ve spent preparing little rescue puppies for their new forever homes has been invaluable to me. I learned important lessons on building trust and relationships, and how critical the quality of communication is to this process. What’s more, I’ve been surprised time and time again by the number of lessons that can be easily translated into human interactions as well.

Now, just in case you’re wondering… I didn’t learn everything I know about giving staff feedback from fostering rescue puppies. There’s a lot more that one could say. But, I do think dogs are a lot like people except they seem to have somewhat more authentic and transparent communication styles. For puppies, making a connection, trusting, and building a relationship is an essential part of all interactions. This is also key to offering staff feedback, especially when making a correction. 

The Rescue Pup Lessons For Staff Feedback

This is what my little orphans have taught me:

• Work with existing strengths. There are many shades of excellence. And, it’s easier to hone interests and abilities than reinvent someone into somebody they are not. In other words, don’t adopt a chihuahua if you’re looking for a guard dog, and don’t adopt a Newfoundland if you want a lap dog.
• Consider multiple points of view and recognize that there may be many interpretations of the same event. What s/he considers innovative (e.g., stealing your sleeper) is not always what you would consider building capacity (e.g., letting you know it’s time to go outside for a bathroom break). Make sure you’re aware of the various points of view and work from there.
• Body language matters. Moods and attitudes are hard to fake and can be easily detected; consequently, they’re likely to be mirrored for better or worse.
• Give feedback regularly. Don’t wait for one annual or a few quarterly reviews. Since the recall of a specific situation quickly fades, take advantage of the moment.
• Don’t start with the good news and end with the bad. Instead, start with bad news and end on a good note. This will set the right tone for your next interaction.
• Limit the number of points you include in your feedback. It’s difficult to absorb a number of different messages or comments all at the same time. Focus on what really matters.
• Don’t expect that just because you said something once, it will sink in. Behaviors are habits, and some are deeply ingrained. Therefore, allow time and give opportunities to navigate change in a progressive manner.
• Repeat and repeat the praise until it’s understood and ingrained. Be mindful that sometimes it’s the teacher who is either unclear or inconsistent so assess your actions and your progress as well.
• Never shout or create drama. That just makes everyone a bit freaky.
• Don’t give harsh punishment in words or actions. It destroys personal connection and trust.
• Focus on rewarding “good” behavior. Politely interrupt the “bad” behavior and make a shift at the moment by offering suggestions and instructions, immediately acknowledging and praising new “good” behavior.
• Give emotional rewards. High-valued treats such as annual bonuses may be well desired and a useful incentive. But, make sure that you give regular rewards in the form of deeper connection and strengthening your relationship. In this way, the motivation is more about the relationship than merely the treat. A likely consequence is staff more often seek feedback. Staff views this feedback as more constructive. Hence they internalize more easily.
• Allow for fun and social interaction. Share some time in order to cultivate the relationship and maybe learn something yourself. Brief visits build and reinforce connection while giving you a break and opportunity to reset and refocus.

Using These Staff Feedback Lessons

If you follow these principles, you’ll build connections, trust, and relationships. Engagement and appreciation (read loyalty) will follow. You may not agree with every item on the list, but I urge you to give each one some consideration. Bat them about, paw at them, take a little sniff, and maybe even a little nibble before you spit them out and clear your scent palette just like the ablest of hound pups would do.

• Check out my staff development workshops and coaching in the workplace
• Click here if interested in adopting a rescue puppy.