Constructive Feedback

Feedback is a method of sharing information and improving interpersonal communication. It is used in a variety of ways, for example, to obtain otherwise inaccessible information (e.g. by asking observers to describe their perspective on a person's actions), to improve the communication situation between two people or in a group, or to share information on which the future action of the feedback recipient depends... In facilitation, it is a skill that extends the range of communication. It includes giving and receiving feedback.

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2-20 people

communication, teamwork, group, social skills

From:

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Related:

• Before
• Social Skills
• Evaluation

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Goal

Improving the quality of interpersonal communication, learning about different perspectives on a personal communication, work or action. Learning to share subjective and critical perspectives with others in a constructive way.

Steps

Feedback is not simply another word for criticism. It is a constructive tool that reflects all of the following aspects:

• 1 Appreciation: What I liked...
• 2 Criticism: What I didn’t like...
• 3 Inspiration: What I might propose...

Giving feedback

• Your feedback should be relevant and useful for the other person
• Represent yourself – Use 'I' statements, do not use 'we' or 'one'
• Separate feelings from observations
• Describe, do not interprete
• Show respect to the whole person
• Keep in mind the position from which you give and receive feedback

Receiving feedback

• If you have – ask a specific question
• Do not discuss or comment anything
• Decide silently which aspects you accept
• If you like to – thank

Examples

Principle	Respectful feedback	Devaluating feedback
Send an I-message.	"I did not catch this point"	"Your presentation was not understandable."
Describe, do not interprete.	"Your hands and your voice flattered during the presentation."	"You were agitated and nervous again."
Communicate authentic but selective.	"I am frustrated. I feel the responsibility of the tasks - and the coordination does not work. Well, sometimes it works."	"Our teamwork is a catastrophy."
Showing respect to the whole person.	"When you are excited your voice starts to scream. That makes me easily nervous."	"You have an annoying voice when you are excited."

Experiences

A trusting or "protected" space is conducive to good feedback. On the other hand, feedback helps everywhere - everyone is happy when they are not only criticized, but also appreciated, and is then certainly more receptive. Feedback is therefore especially a method for learning and practicing respect with reference to Carl Rogers, the "Theme-Centered Interaction" (Ruth Cohn) or Non-violent Communication (Marshall B. Rosenberg)

Reference