The Edge for December 2024
We asked New Jersey business executives to share how they solicit genuine feedback from members of their team. The answers ranged from informal lunches to town hall meetings. One executive said he holds quarterly one-on-one meetings. Another holds weekly team huddles that last no more than 15 minutes. And another suggested sincerely asking employees what they need help with, and see what they say. Read the full article below.
We Host Lunches and Town Hall Meetings
Building a culture where people enjoy coming to work every day leads to success, so it’s important to find ways to engage with employees and connect with them on a personal level. We value our associates’ thoughts, experiences, and perspectives. Throughout the year, we host informal lunches with senior leadership and we conduct town hall meetings with associates to share business updates and give associates the opportunity to ask questions. Once a year, we conduct a formal survey of our employees to learn how we can better support them.
– Mike Munoz, Senior Vice President & Market President, AmeriHealth
Reward Feedback that Helps the Company
While I have used suggestion boxes and exit interviews (people are more “open” when they have nothing to lose), I prefer soliciting feedback in both group and one-on-one quarterly meetings.
I recommend:
- discussing with employees what is and isn’t working;
- sincerely asking employees what they need help with, or what they are struggling with;
- making feedback ‘fun’ by rewarding feedback that helps our company.
We are all in it together.
– Nick Malefyt, President, Master Search Solutions
Hold Weekly Team Huddles
When you frequently communicate with members of your team, they’re more likely to be open and honest because they’re comfortable speaking with you. I hold weekly team huddles to brainstorm and make sure we’re on the same page on issues and concerns. I call them “huddles” because they’re tightly focused and quick — usually 15 minutes. I don’t want the team to think they’ll be pulled into lengthy, unnecessary meetings. The feedback is important because when an employee feels they are being heard, they feel more invested in the organization.
– Patrick Daily, Vice President, Member Services, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
