Tricks to making feedback easier to give and hear

The word feedback in the workplace is often perceived as a negative, Managers also tend to hesitate to provide feedback when it’s performance review time. Let me clarify, feedback is one of the most powerful tools in a business, if carried out constructively it can produce a sharp increase in productivity, and consequently a brighter outlook for sales and profit.

Here are some tips for making the conversation easier: 

1. Describe the behavior that is concerning you objectively

2. Express how you feel about it

3. Specify the behavior you want

4. State the consequences

Some more hints include:

• Timing is important - say what you want to say when it is an issue, but consider whether the other person is best able to receive the information.
• Always start with a positive comment if you can. Most people immediately go on the defensive (and stop listening) if you start on a negative or critical note.
• Be mindful of what you are saying.
• Describe behaviour in neutral terms - avoid emotionally loaded words like “appalling, disgraceful”.
• Feelings should be expressed as ‘/’, not ‘you’. Keep it simple
• Specify what changes you want rather than negatives or criticisms
• Consequences can be negative or positive, be positive wherever possible. Negative consequences are often threats.
• Avoid statements that are impossible or unenforceable.