Feedback matters: Avoiding the Dunning-Kruger effect

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a form of cognitive bias that causes people to think they are significantly more intelligent and competent than they are. Low-ability individuals, in particular, lack the skills sufficient to understand their weaknesses. They overestimate their abilities resulting from a combination of weak self-awareness and low cognitive capacity.

Dunning-Kruger Versus Impostor Syndrome:

Have you ever done something that you didn’t feel you deserved? Perhaps you received a promotion at work, but you believe it was completely by chance. Or perhaps you received first division in high school, but you believe it was a fluke and that you weren’t meant to be admitted. It may sound as though you’re hiding behind a mask of deceit, afraid of being discovered for your alleged deception. If any of these thoughts or events make sense to you, you’ve probably had imposter syndrome.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is the polar opposite of imposter syndrome, which occurs when people underestimate their own beliefs, talents, and achievements. The Dunning-Kruger effect can seem counterintuitive, given how much we value self-assurance and trust. Consequently, just as simplistic self-criticism can turn into full-fledged, damaging imposter syndrome, self-inflation can turn into arrogance and stupidity.

We also have episodes of arrogance and ignorance, as well as self-doubt and fear. Imposter syndrome and the Dunning Kruger effect are much more similar than they are distinct, despite being on opposite ends of the scale. However, Dunning Kruger syndromes are widespread in the workplaces, so let us see how we can avoid it through the following:

Efficient and constant feedback as a way to avoid Dunning-Kruger:

1. Don’t give Unwanted Suggestions:

Many people don’t consider the feedback they receive to be beneficial. Particularly because it usually is uninvited. This can trigger a great deal of stress for the person who receives it. Instead, it would help if you inquired with them before you give your suggestions, whether they want any of it or not. You would provide your workers autonomy and increase the possibility that they might respond to the reviews you provide by doing so.

2. Offer a Strong Sense of Empathy:

Before you challenge an employee with constructive feedback, you must put yourself in your employee’s shoes, as you have once been the recipient of it. You’ll probably recall a moment when a specific critique hurt you. Thus, being empathic will be quite sufficient as:

-It makes the employee more vulnerable to your suggestions.
-It expresses your faith in an individual’s ability to succeed.
-It reinforces the idea that nobody is flawless; we all have made mistakes in life.

3. Don’t be Over Expressive:

Don’t get fixated on negative comments. Try to give problem-solving oriented, concise, and to the mark, valuable criticism to the staff so that they know what they should be doing for improvement in future.

4. Keep the Criticism Hidden:

Some people don’t prefer being the center of attention for various reasons. So even if you are praising them, keep it private. You may consider providing written feedback to your employees. Doing this will also be effective for you as it will give you extra time to think and react more thoughtfully.

Criticizing publicly is never a good thing to do. Not only does the receiver unpleasant, but at times the giver can feel awkward pointing out one’s flaws. By changing the venue to a more casual environment, you may help relieve some of the underlying strain.

5. Concentrate on Performance rather than Personality:

While giving feedback, it’s better to concentrate on an employee’s performance in the workplace and keep their personality characteristics aside, who they are.

It’s a give and take agenda when it comes to earning someone’s confidence and respect. Personal attacks or threats of any sort are never justified. Often, do not ever drag in personal problems to be used against staff. Limit your remarks to facts, job duties, employment laws, and specified goals, regardless of how serious the mistake or incident is. There’s no way around it.

6. Make it a Two-Way Path Discussion:

You need to remember that effective feedback is meant to be a two-way exchange. Take out a couple of minutes to have an interactive conversation with an employee if you are likely to give them suggestions or feedback on their work. Try asking open-ended questions. It will help you start a productive conversation, and you’ll get to know where the actual problem lies. Once the issue is identified, you both could collaborate to come up with a solution or plan of action to resolve that problem.

Aligning Expectations:

The gulf that occurs between a collection of expectations that are formed on each side of the relationship and how people feel those standards will be achieved on either side is known as an expectation gap. And the process of recognizing and attempting to jointly establish these expectations is known as alignment expectations. Alignment is often achieved through discussions, but it can also be achieved through workplace training, performance evaluations, policy creation, or amendment.

Eliminating Expectation Gaps:

1. Learn about your Audience: 

 Since you won’t be able to align each expectation in your position as a business leader, your priority should be to concentrate on the relationships that are most important to attain your targets. Thus, knowing your audience can serve as the first step to aligning expectations.

2. Identify the Areas where Expectation Differences occurs: 

Every partnership in your network should always be expected to have some discrepancies. Take out time to search for where the expectation gaps occur. try to figure out and note down the essence of these gaps, what triggers it, and what solutions do you want to add to resolve that gap.

3. Assist your Employees to Meet the Means and Resolve the Expectation Gaps:

Employees can fill expectation gaps with a variety of logical and irrational beliefs, just as nature does not like a vacuum if they are left merely to rely on their devices. Thus, you must keep an eye on them and play an active role in the improvement of their services, because the employees are the base at which your business is standing.

However, not taking part in the process of shaping and defining expectations, you are likely to face difficulty in expectation management. To avoid this, it’s better to showcase to the employees what you expect from them. To do so you can take help from  “The Dunning Kruger Effect PowerPoint Template” by SlideModel. This template can be used for studying and presenting performance concepts. 

The Dunning Kruger effect slide depicts several points to help you understand the four stages of experience and how trust levels change, making things clear to the employees. Also keeping them aware that everything is being monitored.  As your feedback is essential to overcome the Dunning Kruger. Neither being transparent or opaque but still delivering what should be delivered through these templates. Thus, Dunning Kruger effect template will aid in building the expectations, encouraging the employees to develop and learn according to the presented strategy.