Listen in this week as I sit down with Michelle Gienger, a seasoned practice manager at Village Veterinary Hospital, to talk all about the art of conducting effective employee surveys. Michelle shares her insights into how to gather valuable feedback from both vocal and reserved team members as well as how to implement that data without letting emotions get in the way.

Michelle highlights the importance of building trust and creating a safe environment for employees to share their thoughts and ideas, explaining that she has found success in using a combination of anonymous surveys, live polls during staff meetings, and one-on-one conversations to get a well-rounded understanding of her team's needs and concerns. By introducing surveys gradually and making it clear that feedback will lead to actual change, Michelle has been able to overcome the initial hesitation some employees feel about speaking up, and she has learned the value of letting the team own the solutions rather than just presenting them with her own ideas.

Balancing the serious, problem-solving surveys with more lighthearted, fun questions has helped keep Michelle's team engaged and invested in the process, and she stresses the importance of showing your human side as a manager - acknowledging your own mistakes and struggles, and using that vulnerability to connect with your staff, so whether you are managing a small team or a large organization, Michelle's insights offer a roadmap for creating a work environment with open communication and collaborative problem-solving. Enjoy my conversation with Michelle Gienger!

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Show Notes:

[1:56] - Hear how Michelle Gienger struggled to design surveys that resulted in input from both talkative and quiet staff members. [3:18] - Michelle reveals that she uses anonymous polls and fun questions to earn staff trust and honest feedback. [5:20] - Announcing surveys ahead of time helps improve participation and helps staff feel comfortable with openly sharing. [8:56] - Beginning with lighthearted surveys built trust for Michelle's team, resulting in deeper collaboration and problem-solving. [11:52] - Empowering staff to contribute ideas can lead to autonomy and teamwork via fun, balanced topics. [13:13] - Michelle explains how live polls changed meetings into interactive spaces where staff feels heard and valued. [16:54] - Michelle stresses showing vulnerability and reflection so that staff sees her as a human leader. [17:43] - It's so important to take time to process feedback calmly and discuss issues with a mutual understanding. [20:29] - Learn why Michelle values follow-up conversations. [21:31] - Hear why Michelle prefers in-person talks for serious matters to convey tone, empathy, and authenticity. [24:01] - Hear how Michelle makes a point to engage quiet employees so that they feel seen and valued. [27:16] - Michelle reminds leaders that being authentic and owning mistakes earns respect and teaches resilience. Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources.

Links and Resources:

Feedback Without Friction: Mastering Employee Surveys