What Questions should I ask my direct reports in giving me feedback?
I’ve been at my job for exactly one year and I’ve asked for one-on-one meetings with my team (there are three members) to give me feedback on how I can be a better manager.
I’m looking for ways to improve, whether I’m addressing things that they need or that the team needs. All the team members were in place when I joined and from my point of view, I’ve worked pretty well with them. I do feel like I’ve built a level of trust with each of them.
I’ve specifically asked for it to be outside of the performance review process (not that I have anything against it, I just don’t usually find them very helpful), this is more informal, hopefully honest, and in the spirit of taking in feedback and improving my role as their manager.
So with that: do you have suggestions for questions or framing for my meetings?
Eugene Chan, 
Natalie, and 
Dana are discussing.
Dana 1:50 am on February 13, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This is the question I’d want my bosses to ask me:
1.What’s the one thing I could be doing to make your life/ job easier?
I could go on a tangent about all the different areas I need more support and clearer communication in but this makes you focus on the thing that’s most prominent in your mind. And it sounds nice – like you are taking ownership of your piece to the puzzle and you want to help them.
Natalie 2:46 am on February 13, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Dana beat me to it. I think she nailed it. I like “one thing” questions because they almost force the person to come up with something. And if there’s a list, it gives them the opening to begin the diatribe. You could also ask for input on what they consider to be the most effective management approach for them personally, or to think back on the best supervisor they ever had, and what made that person so great.
Eugene Chan 6:48 pm on February 13, 2014 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Great suggestions! I had a question along the same line, but not for 1 thing, That is a better question. So thanks @dana and @natalie!