Technique 1.131 Feed-forward Interview

Introduction

This is an alternative to the traditional approaches of feedback as part of performance management (for more detail, see elsewhere in the Knowledge Base).

It is
"...a performance appraisal guideline designed to improve employee performance by fostering collaboration between managers and subordinates, focusing on their strengths and individual contribution to an organisation......is rooted in the recent work in positive psychology, taking the attention away from problems of an organisation and instead building on what already works......the effectiveness of this approach is grounded in empowerment and positive emotions that are triggered in the process of the interview, and the creation of a safe environment in which information is shared..."
Walkme, 2017

It starts on a positive note, ie by asking you to recall in detail an event/activity where you felt full of life, energy, happiness, etc and builds on this

It involves listening skills, ie a 2-way process.

Questions/statements

1. Describe a situation or event at work in which you were at your best ie full of enthusiasm, results good, etc.

2. How did you feel in this peak situation or event?

3. What were the enabling conditions?

4. Describe in detail how you performed at your best, ie traits (your abilities, your strengths, etc), practices (things you did, things you said, things you thought, etc).

5. What did others do?6. What was in the physical environment that helped you?

7. As the conditions you have just described represent your personal code for reaching optimum performance, now think of 5 concrete conditions that you can apply this week in order to recreate optimal experience?

NB The above questions/statements can be adapted to each person interviewed.

Generally the interviewer will repeat back to the interviewee what he or she has said, ie
"...I want to make sure I've heard you correctly so I will repeat back to you my understanding of what you said..."
Esther Bintliff, 2022

Once the interviewee is happy with the interviewer's understanding of what was said, then they can start exploring what might be possible, at the end interviewer sums up. Thus
"...being willing to have someone truly listen to is exhilarating......I ended up seeing my work from a new perspective and giving myself some critical feedback about my priorities..."
Esther Bintliff, 2022

(main source: Walkme, 2017)