Samvāda 2.0: AI in Constructive Performance Feedback

Performance feedback is not that easy to give or take. Managers, involved in the process, have fears of overdoing or underdoing things. At the same time, the employees are equally anxious to participate in a Performance Review Meeting (PRM). It is the fear of negation that hurts both parties. The performance management literature is full of tips and tools for conducting a free and fair PRM. However, research shows that both managers and employees still struggle with discussing performance feedback. Samvāda 1.0 is the traditional approach to PRM, which was marred by a lack of preparation, anxiety, and apathy. However, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) can create a highly productive and respectful performance review conversation. This can act as a platform where the manager converses with the employee and delivers the performance feedback. The article on Samvāda 2.0 encourages managers to use Communicative GenAI tools, like ChatGPT or Copilot, to get prepared for a critical PRM session.

Performance Review Meeting (PRM) will always remain a double-edged weapon; it is quite intriguing to study how AI can act as a rescue ranger! More so because managers are not comfortable providing feedback in a PRM.Failure to provide a face-to-face performance review (here Samvāda 1.0) leads to a disconnect between the employee and the supervisor. At the same time, Samvāda 1.0 is challenged by a lack of confidence, fear of confrontation, lack of communicative competence, lack of preparation, and fear of disagreement. It is also influenced by the supervisor’s perception, including favouritism, recency effect, and halo effect. These biases undermine fairness and accuracy.

Samvāda 2.0 ensures mutual respect, support, collaboration, and trust in the manager-employee relationship. For this, the manager requires sufficient data, supporting evidence, preparation for the conversation act, and dealing with the conversation confidently. Thus, a manager can augment a Samvāda with the communicative Gen AI tool to simulate the PRM and then get into the actual Samvāda 2.0. This Samvāda is well-scripted, rehearsed and also pre-empts any behavioural issues that may arise.

You may try situations like giving feedback to an employee who achieves targets but has a negative attitude towards the workplace. Interestingly, an endeavour made to test Samvāda 2.0 received the following response from ChatGPT AI:

Situation: I have an employee who has a negative attitude towards work. Whenever he is told to work in a positive manner, he becomes irritable and argumentative. How do I talk to the person so that he is not hurt, but at the same time understands how he is supposed to behave in the organisation? Role Play.

Human: Hi! Alex. Come sit. I've been watching your work for quite some time now. I feel you have a lot of potential, but then you're not giving your 100%. Is there something that bothers you?

AI Response: I know I have potential. I just feel like the work here isn't challenging enough for me. I have skills that go beyond what this organisation needs. Why should I put in more effort?
 

Human: Well, when you joined this organisation, you were selected because of your potential, and you also promised that you would act according to your potential. That will make this organisation, as well as your performance, great. Do you remember that, Alex?

AI Response: I remember, but it feels like I'm stuck in a routine. I want to be challenged and grow. If I’m not feeling that here, how can I stay motivated?

Human: Well, Alex, I think you can look at the environment and you can suggest how the organisation needs to grow. That could make your path more innovative as well as challenging. There are certain things which we may not look but you are looking at. Therefore, if you are ready to prepare an action plan for yourself which helps the organisation, wouldn't that be a great idea?

AI Response: That does sound interesting. So, you're suggesting I propose new ideas that align with both my growth and the organisation's needs? How can we start with that?

Human: You tell me, how would you like to go about it?

AI Response: I can start by identifying areas where I think we can improve or innovate. Then, I can draft a proposal with concrete ideas and how they align with our goals. Would it be okay if I shared the draft with you for feedback before presenting it to the team? This way, we can ensure it’s impactful.

Human: I think that's a great idea. You can go ahead and research those areas where both you and the organisation can feel challenged and also feel a sense of achievement.

AI response: Thank you for the opportunity. I'll start researching and preparing a proposal that reflects both our needs. I’ll keep you updated and share the draft soon. I appreciate your guidance!

It was an interesting encounter and quite a learning experience. Samvāda 2.0, which uses Communicative Gen AI tools like CHATGPT or Copilot, is definitely the next-gen PRM. It boosts confidence, trains you to avoid any ugly confrontation, and most importantly, makes you serious about giving feedback. The managers who are reluctant to use human coaches can surely benefit from such disruptive technologies that assist, associate and also guide. Samvāda 2.0 will surely contribute towards building the abilities of managers for giving constructive feedback without losing that human touch!

(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)