What is Feedback?

 

Feedback is the process of describing to another person your perceptions of how their behavior affects you, others or the accomplishment of a task.  This clarification sets expectations and helps people identify their strengths work through disagreements and conflicts and creates opportunities for personal and professional development.  This requires each person to communicate honestly what they observe, have willingness and courage to share their perceptions and have a leader who is receptive to personal performance feedback. Most research points out that the higher a person is on the organizational chart the less information they receive on their own performance. www.teleosleaders.com This lack of feedback is fed by fear of confronting the boss and the natural tendency to want to be seen as a positive team player.

 

Guidelines For Constructive Feedback 

1.  Cover only behaviors over which the individual has some control.
2.   If the situation is not changeable, do not offer feedback    
3.  Refer to performance and be specific, not abstract,
4.  Specific behavior or outcomes rather than criticizing the person   
5.  Describe behavior on a continuum-  “More or less” – discuss highs and lows of performance.
6.   Focus on the sharing of ideas and listen
7.   An exploration of alternatives – if there are technical solutions of established procedures, suggest as many as possible.

 

Preparation for Giving Feedback—Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do I want to see changed? Pinpoint the exact behavior.  This gives you credibility by letting the other  person know exactly what you are talking about.
2. Is change possible? If the situation cannot be changed, the feedback may be seen as an attack or unfair criticism.
3. Will the feedback help? What is the incentive for change?
4. What new behavior would you like to see? This focuses the communication on the positive rather than focusing on the negative.