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HBR IdeaCast

Turn Employee Feedback into Real Results

Oct 29, 2024
Ethan Burris, a management professor at the University of Texas at Austin, highlights the gap between collecting employee feedback and implementing real change. He discusses the challenges leaders face in fostering open communication and acting on insights. The conversation touches on navigating complex feedback situations, especially after the pandemic, and the need for organizations to maintain clarity with their policies. Burris emphasizes that listening to employees is crucial for enhancing satisfaction and achieving alignment in any organization.
27:49

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Gathering employee feedback is easier than converting that data into actionable insights, which is essential for improving morale and satisfaction.
  • Effective alignment between executives and employees through open communication is crucial for translating feedback into meaningful organizational changes.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Actioning Employee Feedback

Many companies struggle to translate employee feedback into actionable insights, often finding that gathering data is the easier part of the process. The real challenge comes from analyzing the data collected through various channels, such as pulse surveys and focus groups, and creating substantial changes based on that information. Without effective action following feedback collection, organizations may inadvertently harm employee morale, leaving workers feeling ignored and frustrated. This emphasizes the need for a robust system that not only gathers feedback but also ensures meaningful responses from leadership.

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