Deep Dive: Feedback

The big feedback guide.

“We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” – Bill Gates

Bill knows and you know that, too.

But feedback has become a corporate buzzword. Give feedback, fill out a feedback form, employee feedback survey, regular 360-degree feedback, etc. You can’t grow without feedback. Your whole career depends on feedback.

People do not like giving bad news. Some even don't know how to appreciate others. Others do not like being criticized or they struggle to accept praise.

Feedback creates tension.

But, it does not have to.

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Contents:

1. What is feedback?

2. What isn’t feedback?

3. Feedback process

   1. Who should give feedback?

   2. How to make feedback effective

   3. Common mistakes

   4. Feedback preparation

   5. Feedback conversation

   6. Feedback action

   7. Feedforwards

4. Feedback culture

Wrap up

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1. What is feedback?

Feedback is frequently linked to bad news, criticism, and negative feelings.

Leaders use feedback to 'correct' rather than to commend. When you receive a weird meeting invitation with no agenda, you begin to wonder. "What exactly did I do wrong this time?"

Feedback is a clear and distinct piece of information. Its goal is to provide and solicit information that sparks a conversation. The goal is to help individuals or groups improve, grow, and achieve.

Let's stress one more thing:

Feedback is information or statements of opinion about something.

It is critical to approach feedback as a two-way street. Everyone has an opinion, and not all are correct.

So, keep your mind open to different perspectives. The result of feedback is alignment and agreement on a common direction. Not that you make people angry and let them hang in the air.

Every feedback session should strive to:

• Be honest and open.

• Be a two-way conversation.

• Be driven by empathy and listening.

Collaboration and teamwork both benefit from feedback. Since you want to:

• Share interests and efforts.

• Make people work better together.

• Help a person become aware of what the purpose of some tasks is.

• Help people understand and align on quality and requirements.

• Allow people to develop mastery and autonomy at work.

• Bring relevant (positive or negative) points and how they affect others.

Giving and receiving feedback is a skill. This ability isn't just for people at the top of the food chain. Encourage honest and frequent input from your team as a leader. Assist everyone in feeling at ease with feedback.

Peer feedback improves both teamwork and performance. Allow people to challenge ideas and observe how feedback helps them maximize their skills. Recognize and applaud what has been successful. Celebrate one another!

What is the feedback:

• It is a communication skill.

• It is a two-way conversation.

• It is specific.

• It stems from a genuine desire to see others succeed.

• It is linked to a purpose that the individual understands and accepts.

2. What isn’t feedback?