Performance Feedback

 

Leaders provide feedback by creating open lines of communication and providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, perspectives, and concerns. Failing to provide feedback represents failure in a basic responsibility of leadership: to guide team members in learning accountability, accepting responsibility, and being effective communicators. Fire leaders use performance feedback to develop team members and help them meet their full potential. 

Providing feedback represents a potentially powerful form of influence. When given in a timely and appropriate manner, feedback builds the leader’s credibility among team members, demonstrates respect for them, and increases their respect for their leader. 

Fire leaders give objective feedback, acknowledging strong performance as well as pointing out where efforts fall short. We try to praise in public and discipline in private, always considering the people involved and the situation. 

[Click here to download a copy of Leading in the Wildland Fire Service.]