How to Create a Healthy and Happy Workplace - The Power of Two-Way Feedback

I recently saw a job advert for a Head of Happiness vacancy and it really intrigued me. After doing some more research, I realised this is a growing area of focus and, course, these positions don’t only focus on happiness, but really the true core of a business, people and culture. In today’s workplace, we are realising that creating a truly collaborative and productive environment doesn’t require something new but something different: two-way feedback. It's not just about managers telling employees what to do; it's about a continuous exchange of information, ideas, and perspectives. The constant back and forth communication keeps the energy flowing and ensures everyone is engaged and dare I say it, happy! And if we’re happy in work, we’ll be passionate and productive in our jobs and for our employers, a win-win for everyone.

So, why has this two-way feedback become so important?

With this enhanced communication comes stronger internal relationships, open dialogue and a sense of trust. When employees feel heard and valued, they're more likely to engage and contribute, with traditional hierarchies being broken down and a more collaborative environment created. Being able to ask questions in real-time identifies any problems early on to enable them to be rectified simply and quickly. The end result is increased employee engagement and motivation, as well as improved performance and productivity. Constructive feedback allows team members to feel valued and empowered,  with the ability to learn and grow both professionally and personally to reach their full potential. In addition to this, two-way conversation provides the opportunity for brainstorming, idea sharing, and innovation – even a little creative thinking can open up huge opportunities for everyone. Being a business owner, I find myself seeking out feedback from clients and candidates, it’s the only way I can continue to develop and improve my skills in order to continue to hone my skills and develop further. By embracing two-way feedback, organisations create a culture where feedback is seen as a positive tool for growth for everyone.

So how can you implement two-way feedback?

Creating a non-judgmental environment encourages open and honest communication, both companies and employees are equally responsible for this. Providing regular feedback, rather than waiting for formal reviews, a true culture of open discussion can be accessed by all. Of course, there’s a time and a place for regular 1:1s and annual reviews too. Enhancing listening skills by showing a genuine interest in other’s perspectives is key, whether it’s in a team meeting, a quick chat during a break, or working alongside your manager or colleagues. Specific and actionable feedback is crucial in order to define and assess learning and growth possibilities, using examples and suggestions on how to make changes. Encouraging feedback using a variety of channels from all levels provides an open forum to promote change from within - surveys, feedback polls and feedback platforms are all useful but will only work if everyone gets on board and the results are acted on!  

Whilst some people may shy away from feedback, it’s a fundamental element of a successful and thriving workplace. By supporting an environment where open communication is part of the every day norm, relationships within organisations can strengthen and a happy and successful working environment will be created. Maybe there will be less need for employing a Head of Happiness, or maybe productivity will increase and the Head of Happiness will be busier looking after more employees as the business goes from strength to strength. Maybe it’s time to reflect on how you can feed back to your colleagues more effectively or implement feedback systems in your workplace.

Share your experiences with two-way feedback in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!