Providing regular feedback is important to your workplace relationships. Positive feedback is typically delivered often and with ease. When addressing feedback that is not positive, it must be delivered in a constructive tone. If communicated correctly, constructive feedback can strengthen your relationship. If not, it could have an adverse effect on the relationship. Most people hesitate to deliver constructive feedback because it is awkward, they lack experience, and it is easier to just not to have the conversation.
Before you deliver constructive feedback, consider the following:
- Are you the appropriate person to deliver this feedback?
- Do you have all the information? Is it accurate? Don’t assume.
- Are you providing immediate or specific feedback?
- Do you treat everyone the same? Are you being consistent?
Some advice to consider before you deliver constructive feedback:
- Practice with a colleague/manager first. Sometimes talking it out can help you think more clearly.
- Be genuine when delivering constructive feedback. If it is tough for you to have this conversation, say so.
- The end goal of this conversation is to better the relationship.
- Talk slow and be calm, they will mirror your behavior.
- Deliver the feedback, then move on.
When providing feedback, make sure to:
- Provide examples, be direct and to the point. Be descriptive and specific.
- Focus on the behavior.
- Remove your emotion from the conversation.
- Give the other person an opportunity to respond. Listen to what they have to say.
- Agree on next steps.
It is important to give feedback – always. Everyone wants to hear how they are doing or what they can do to improve. Feedback is critical to the development of relationships and of staff.
Provide feedback to others often, including constructive feedback. Be genuine and confident. The more conversations you have , the better you will be at delivering more frequent feedback.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I would add one more consideration before delivering any feedback . . . is this something the person can use and do something. All the constructive feedback in the world won’t mean much if the recipient has no control.
Hi Roberta, good point. Thank you for your comment