Giving feedback is one of the most important interpersonal skills for any manager.
The purpose of constructive feedback is to provide information that will contribute to improvements and create better results. For feedback to be useful, it has to be actionable, otherwise it's likely that the situation or behaviour will recur.
Whenever you're giving feedback, keep in mind that you'll probably have an ongoing relationship with this person, so use your feedback to reinforce good relations.
Let's say that you're giving constructive feedback to a member of your staff. Here are five steps to help you give good feedback:
1. Timing.
Make sure the time is right. The sooner the better, but if you're upset about the situation - or your employee is - take a "time-out." This is preferable than giving or receiving feedback when one of you is already in a bad mood.
2. Choose your words.
The way you say something can have a great impact on the receiver. Depending on your choice of words, you can establish an amicable feedback environment or a hostile one.
Saying, "You need to do..." or "You're not doing this properly," can put the receiver on the defensive from the get-go. Using the pronoun "you" makes the comments personal and can be interpreted as condescending or highly critical.
Instead, say "I noticed that..." or "I understand that..." Beginning feedback phrases this way discusses the action or behaviour that needs to be changed, not the person.
3. Start with the positive.
Positive feedback acknowledges good contributions and work well done. Give specific examples of what the receiver did well. Doing so is more meaningful than a general "Good job!" comment that can be said to anyone, any time, and doesn't even have to be sincere.
Let the receiver know the positive impact their contributions had on the department or organization so they understand the results - this also lets them know that you see it and appreciate it. In addition, reinforcing the positive encourages more of the same.
4. Be descriptive and talk about the facts.
When giving constructive feedback, discuss what happened, not how you feel about what happened. Focus on the situation, describe it, and stay objective. Give a reason why it's an issue and state the impact it had on the rest of the staff, the organization, or the customer.
When you stick with the facts, you can discuss them more easily. Being specific and clear assists the receiver in understanding the issue and what requires changes.
5. Collaborate to come up with ideas for improvement.
It's not up to you to come up with all the solutions by yourself - although you can offer suggestions that you think would be helpful. Make a point of involving the recipient in this crucial part of the feedback process. This way, the recipient has some ownership and involvement in decision-making, which will result in a greater commitment to see that it's implemented. Working together finds better ways of improving the situation and will likely create a solution that is acceptable to both of you.
Offering constructive feedback can seem like a daunting task. If it's approached with the good intention of making improvements and creating better situations, rather than criticizing and judging, it's positive input with beneficial results.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to hear patients comments on dr ...
By: TA | 19-08-2008
I would like to hear patients comments on dr. diane counce good or bad feedback, I have been seeing her for 6 months now without a whole lot of results. thanks TA
How can I download specific topics or transcripts ...
By: Bob Gorringe | 14-07-2008
How can I download specific topics or transcripts from the Thom Hartmann Show?
My email address: Bob71947@aol.com
Career services international feedback
By: dlenio | 17-06-2008
I am looking for feedback from someone who has used Career Services International.
Blog name...Arghhhhh
By: JMARTI627 | 01-05-2008
I need help.Got to name my blog and i cant come up with a catchy thing. Fashion, beauty, celebs and things similar will be what the blog is about....Somthing with the word blush in it.I thought about ... Everybody's blushin' feedback please. I want it to be cute, catchy, for the ladies....
Why after researching a question for someone and ...
By: tiptopmanager | 22-01-2008
Why after researching a question for someone and they receive a great answer, they do not acknowledge your efforts?I know many of you spend a great deal of thought and research on many of these questions. How do you feel when you receiveno response?Does it ever make you want to quit answering?Give me your feedback please.
Does somebody know of some more "feedback ...
By: drabsv | 29-09-2007
Does somebody know of some more "feedback gathering" (or "customer support") sites like http://www.planetfeedback.com, http://www.shoulddothis.com or http://www.getsatisfaction.com?I mean sites that gather suggestions, complaints, requests, ideas for various products and services; those are definitely not product review sites. The aim of the sites I am looking for is not to describe the pro-s and con-s of a product but to let consumers say what's wrong/ inadequate with a concrete product or what new features/ improvements could be made.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Communication Articles
Telecoms in Pakistan
By: Caroline Telford | 11/10/2008
One of the best ways to measure the growth of a particular country is by the sophistication of the facilities offered by the major telecoms. In an ever-changing industry in terms of technology, it is a must to keep up with the latest that technology has to offer - and this is best done with the help of telecoms.
Telecoms in Brazil
By: Caroline Telford | 11/10/2008
Wireless, landline, mobile, cable, satellite, Internet and Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP. These are just some of the types of services offered by telecom providers. No matter which part of the world it is that you are in, the modernity of the telecommunication facilities offered by the major telecom providers in your area will have an impact with the way that you communicate with the rest of the world.
Telecoms in Spain
By: Caroline Telford | 11/10/2008
The impact of not having the means to use modern telecommunication facilities can be illustrated in a few examples. First, if a business owner has two stores which are in separate locations. Without a means for instant communication - the business owner would need to travel from one store to another in order to coordinate the daily aspects of running a business.
Telecoms in China
By: Caroline Telford | 11/10/2008
China is not just the world's most populous country, it is also the third largest country by area. With over a billion people residing in the China, how do you think the country will fare economically and socially if it does not have modern telecommunications facilities?
Telecoms in Canada
By: Caroline Telford | 11/10/2008
When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, who would have ever thought that the way people communicate would reach the heights that it has today? Far from a typical landline call, there is now video calling, teleconferencing, e-mail, fax, instant messaging, text messaging, mobile phone calls, Internet telephone calls - and all the other forms of communication which made the world a virtually smaller place.
Cordless Phones
By: Pooja Lapasia | 10/10/2008
The cordless phone has become a very essential component in most of the families. In comparison to cell phones, the cordless telephone are said to be much more reliable.
Reverse Phone Lookup - How to Trace Nuisance Prank Calls and Have the Last Laugh!
By: Daniel Jenkins | 09/10/2008
Are you looking for the best way to perform a reverse phone lookup? Read more here.
0870 Number Alternatives
By: Mark Guy | 09/10/2008
An article on the options available to organisations once communications watchdog, Ofcom, implements its planned 0870 changes at the end of 2008.
More from Laurie Wilhelm
How to Get People at Your Table Talking
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 09/10/2008 | Communication
Have you ever gone to a workshop or event where the attendees were all sitting tables of about six or eight and where no one was talking to one another? There's that awkward silence before the session begins and no one knows what to say. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some suggestions that may help you to get everyone at the table talking and bring them together.
How Many Social Skills Will Make You Successful?
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 04/08/2008 | Self Improvement
The thing with social skills is that just having a couple won't make you succeed socially. We find ourselves in many different situations everyday where we need a combination and variety of skills to make us socially well-rounded. There are many subtle yet valuable skills that take some conscious awareness to recognize and rehearse.
How Can You Improve Your Social Skills?
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 29/07/2008 | Self Improvement
One common suggestion that is recommended for improving social skills is to practice. Practice meeting other people, going to social events, joining clubs, taking classes or practice being with different people in various situations. But practice what? Going to social events are the places to practice. Knowing how to interact while you're there is what to practice.
The Art of Poor Listening
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 23/07/2008 | Self Improvement
Poor listening is an art. Fortunately, it's a talent that's easy to master. It takes little effort and if you're really good at it, you'll be able to quickly tune out the speaker or, better yet, get him to stop talking so that you can start. Here are five key ways to be an exemplary bad listener.
Characteristics of Good Constructive Feedback
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 11/06/2008 | Communication
We often confuse feedback with criticism - probably because much of our experience with it has had more to do with what we've done wrong than what we've done right or how we could do better. This is unfortunate. Feedback should not be viewed as a personal assault or a list of errors, mistakes, or mishaps. While the content of the feedback can be negative its delivery can always be constructive.
One Step to Making Small Talk
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 11/06/2008 | Communication
Just the thought of small talk congers up painful memories of stilted conversations that revolved around the weather and umpteen other dreadfully boring topics. Fortunately, the key to making good small talk is simple: be interested in other people. Here are a few small-talk tips to get the conversation going.
Four Common Myths About Social Skills
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 11/06/2008 | Self Improvement
Many people misunderstand what social skills are - and what they're not. Here's a quick look at a few common myths and some information on what social skills really are.
Five Tips to Help You Improve Your Social Skills
By: Laurie Wilhelm | 10/06/2008 | Self Improvement
The expression "the total is greater than the sum of its parts" resonates loudly with respect to social skills. Knowing what to say and how to act are basic social skills that anyone can learn. Techniques and methods are available to develop all social skills. Here are five tips on how to learn and integrate social skills into your daily life.
Technology 
