Is This Normal? Episode 5: Feedback and Boss Communication

Understanding "Is This Normal?"

• 💡 The "Is This Normal?" series aims to help individuals, especially those new to the workforce, understand if their workplace experiences are common or unusual.
• 🎯 It provides evidence and insights based on extensive experience to clarify whether a situation is normal or weird.
• 🔑 The series draws inspiration from Allison Green's "Ask a Manager" blog, adapting the concept to offer practical guidance.

The Normality of Lacking Positive Feedback

• ✅ It is normal, though unfortunate, not to receive positive feedback from a manager, sometimes until the annual review.
• 🧠 Managers often withhold positive feedback due to a fear of being asked for a pay rise or promotion, creating an uncomfortable situation for them.
• ⚠️ This fear is often based on a misunderstanding of feedback, which should focus on small, daily behaviors rather than significant achievements.
• 📊 Feedback is likened to small grains of sand building a sandcastle, while raises and promotions are the entire sandcastle; one grain of sand doesn't warrant a whole castle.
• 🚫 Managers may also avoid positive feedback to prevent being perceived as playing favorites, but feedback should be behavior-based, not preferential.

The Normality of Limited Boss Communication

• 🗓️ It is normal not to see or speak to your boss for days or even weeks, especially in remote work environments.
• 🏢 Many managers prioritize individual work and tasks that directly yield results over the time-consuming aspects of managing and building relationships with their direct reports.
• 😟 This lack of communication can stem from a fear of overmanaging or being perceived as a micromanager, leading managers to err on the side of less interaction.
• 📉 This often results in infrequent or non-existent one-on-one meetings, leaving employees feeling unsupported and concerned about their career growth.

Navigating Workplace Norms

• 🗣️ For those not receiving feedback, the advice is to acknowledge and be grateful for any feedback given, and to continue performing well.
• ✉️ If communication from your boss is lacking, the solution is to initiate communication by providing regular updates or asking for brief check-ins.
• ⚠️ It is strongly advised not to tell your boss how to do their job or suggest improvements to their managerial behavior, as this can be perceived negatively and is career-limiting.
• 👍 Instead, focus on managing your own behavior and communication, understanding that a boss's lack of communication may stem from trust or a different management philosophy, not necessarily disinterest.