Fairness to Direct Reports

Think about the standards you have set for your team. Consider whether you are excusing a behavior in a high performer that you would not tolerate in someone else. Do all of your direct reports have the same rules? If not, use this tool to clarify expectations for all of your direct reports.

Be diligent about giving candid, accurate, and balanced performance feedback. Employees want feedback and it is important to be honest and consistent in how you give it and to whom. Use this guide to giving feedback to help you frame feedback discussions.

Delegate to all of your employees because it is a powerful developmental tool. Take this quiz to assess how effectively you currently delegate. Use the results to help guide you in how best to delegate assignments to each of your direct reports.

Employees sometimes think they are “in the dark” about how decisions are made. Take care the next time you need to communicate a change or share important information to focus on how the decisions were made. Communicate to the group to avoid someone feeling excluded and increase transparency and build trust. Use this video for tips on how to become more transparent at your next team meeting.

Find someone who you trust to discuss how you might increase consistency to ensure you are demonstrating fairness to your direct reports. Listen to this podcast and discuss ideas for how you could increase consistency.

Reflect on the way you interact with the people you manage. Are you consistent in holding people accountable? For insights into your potential unconscious biases, explore this site, and share your observations with a trusted colleague.

Involve your direct reports in establishing an environment where fairness is the norm. Handout a copy of the GW Values at an upcoming staff meeting and facilitate a conversation to solicit ideas for how the team could demonstrate the values more consistently.

The Transparent Leader: How to Build a Great Company Through Straight Talk, Openness, and Accountability

Management Essentials: Treating Your Direct Reports Fairly (1.0 hour)

Being Transparent with Employees

Giving and Receiving Feedback

The Right Way to Disagree with Direct Reports

Clarifying Expectations

Test Yourself for Hidden Bias