How can you give and receive feedback in a remote work environment?

I have adopted pasting my ProZ profile Link on my Email signature, requesting clients for feedback on the work performed; another is to send them a satisfaction query, another feature ProZ allows registered users to access. There are several knicks and knacks we can rely on, it's just a matter of exploring options and selecting the one most suitable for you and the type of service rendered.

Feedback is a key element for someone who wishes to improve and grow professionally. Not only does it highlight the challenges faced and the areas that can be improved, but it also underscores the strenghts of the translator/interpreter and as such, contributes in building self-esteem and increasing motivation.

One thing I found useful was to read and listen to different people giving their views about how to give feedback. When you give a positive feedback, everything is fine. The problem is when you have to say that somebody needs to improve on that. So, we need to be very careful about the way to give negative feedback. I could use something like: "You're doing great in .... but how about improving in .... ".

Listening, and bisecting your calls/interpretation sessions. Streamlining vocabulary, avoid fillers and making sure to keep the rendition as close to the original as possible. There will be times when something can't really be rendered word for word, as it would not make sense in one or the other language cultural context. One must keep the soul of the original source while using expressions that most approximate it!

Feedback is needed to check yourself out, improve, change to meet your objectives, and appeal to the needs and appeal to your customers’ needs and goals

There is no way to go wrong with the sandwich method. That and not forgetting the golden rule of praising in public and criticizing behind closed doors, together, make for clear communication across all borders. Virtual or in-person. Although we live in times of virtual everything, I still believe that serious feedback should be provided via video (at least), or in-person. There is no way to misinterpret live body language (while faceless texts are another story altogether). Both parties will be clear on what was great, what wasn’t, what’s to be expected and any other details that need to be shared.

The main criteria that define a good feedback in person are the same as in an online environment: specific, objective (as much as possible) and constructive. Be thorough in your feedback, trying to highlight specific situations that happened, and tying any feedback to the overall expectations for the person and their job. Remotely, it's easier to be objective, since we're dealing with written form, however, it's also easier to sound harsh. One does not need to "soften the blow" when pinpointing negative topics, just making sure it's being constructive and actionable.

Feedbacks are essential for short term development, and they are part of a regular work routine. Do not make the mistake of turning feedback into a performance evaluation. ;)

I personally use the "sandwich" technique to give a feedback. First, I recognize what the person did right (at least one idea), then I tackle what went wrong, and finally I go back to the positive. Tone and style matter. That's why I always call or send a voice message and I always thank the person for their efforts and work in the beginning and the end.

In my opinion, clarity is key. to be able to give feedback and more importantly reach the goals intended for it, you should first clearly outline the behavior or task you're addressing. Specific examples make the feedback more actionable. Second, you should use constructive Language and focus on improvement rather than criticism. Offer suggestions or alternatives to help the individual grow. Balance Positive and Constructive Feedback by acknowledge what's going well, and then discuss areas for improvement. This creates a balanced perspective. Ideally, adopting a two-way Communication can make this process go smoothly. Allow the recipient to share their perspective and thoughts. This fosters a collaborative environment.

It is not unusual to get weird feedback when you are dealing with words. You may receive feedback from people who may not be a professional. But I believe every feedback can be valuable. At least it gives you a general idea of how an average audience may perceive your work. sometimes it is hard to realize what people actually mean. At this point, I start asking questions and try to listen carefully. I have got many great views and ideas from pieces of feedback that seemed shallow at first.

?? To effectively receive feedback remotely: Openness: Embrace feedback with a willingness to learn. Active Listening: Pay attention without interrupting or getting defensive. Appreciation: Show gratitude, even if the feedback is tough. Clarification: Ask questions if something isn’t clear. Action: Reflect on the feedback and decide on steps for improvement, whether it’s making changes or expressing thanks for positive feedback. These steps make feedback a tool for growth, guiding adjustments in work or behavior.

Always listen to feedbacks, it’s very important. They may not be on point all the time, but every feedback will help you learning a little bit more about the way you work and interact with others. This will help you develop your skills, especially the better ones.

As for me, receiving feedback is another challenge translators face. This is because it is not always easy to hear comments on one's performance. However, keeping an open mind and understanding the feedback helps. As such, ask for clarifications when necessary, strive to understand the reviser's point of view and defend yours if need be with pertinent and convincing arguments. In any case, avoid sticking to a point just to annoy the other party and show how great you are. Humility is paramount when receiving feedback.

En mi opinión, siempre debemos estar abiertos a recibir comentarios sobre el trabajo que realizamos. Dos elementos muy importantes en un entorno profesional (y también fuera de él) son la comunicación y la escucha activa. Saber escuchar no quiere decir hacer todo lo que la otra parte considere oportuno, sino valorar la opinión ajena y actuar conforme con lo que consideres más adecuado. También es importante saber pedir la aclaración de dudas, ya que muchas veces si no las aclaramos esto puede generar confusión en el futuro y, por ende, afectar a todo el proceso comunicativo.

?? To manage feedback remotely: Use Tools: Utilize Google Docs, Dropbox, or Trello for sharing and commenting, and SurveyMonkey or Typeform for feedback collection and analysis. Apply Metrics: Implement specific, measurable metrics like scores for quality and comments for impact. Feedback Loop: Create a cycle with goals and criteria—set standards, collect feedback, revise accordingly, and measure outcomes. This approach ensures feedback is organized, tracked, and effectively used for continuous improvement and performance enhancement in remote work settings.

Considero que una buena forma de gestionar los comentarios es hacerlo por categorías o por proyectos. De esta forma, quedarán clasificados correctamente y podremos acudir a su lectura para la aclaración de posibles dudas que puedan surgir en un futuro próximo. Una buena herramienta podría ser un Google Docs colaborativo entre el empleador y el empleado, donde haya una comunicación constante entre ambas partes.

Gérer les commentaires efficacement nécessite une approche équilibrée entre la modération, la promotion d'un dialogue constructif et le respect de la liberté d'expression. Il est crucial de mettre en place des règles claires, de modérer de manière transparente, et d'encourager un échange respectueux. La diversité des opinions doit être acceptée, mais les comportements irrespectueux ou les contenus nuisibles doivent être modérés pour maintenir un environnement sain et productif. La communication transparente sur les politiques de modération est également essentielle pour établir la confiance avec la communauté.

I personally have suffered from a lack of feedback and the feeling of isolation is very overwhelming! Even searching among my superior, it was difficult and challenging as there was no clear culture of feedback and communication in the company. In every opportunity I have sought since then, I place a lot of importance on feedback and always try to listen actively and critically to the feedback that is given to me.

??? Overcoming feedback challenges in remote translation: Lack of Feedback: Actively seek it out. Ask clients or colleagues directly to avoid feelings of isolation. Conflicting Feedback: Prioritize by source relevance and feedback validity to avoid confusion. Negative Feedback: Acknowledge and learn from criticism. Set clear expectations and guidelines to minimize it. These strategies help manage feedback effectively, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement in your translation work.

Both parties should clearly understand what the purpose/intent behind feedbacks are for. With the mutual understanding, respectful feedbacks can be presented at a clear form based on facts so the recipient can easily agree. It's learning process on both parties. Asking feedback on your feedback presentation can help you provide better feedback next time.

Pour surmonter les défis liés à la rétroaction, il est essentiel de cultiver une attitude ouverte et constructive envers les commentaires. Favoriser une communication transparente, définir des objectifs clairs, et encourager un environnement de confiance sont des éléments clés. L'écoute active, la prise en compte des retours sans prendre personnellement les critiques, et l'engagement à s'améliorer constamment sont également cruciaux pour transformer les défis de la rétroaction en opportunités de croissance.

Keep an open mind and don't take these too personally because these feedbacks are ultimately for the improvement of the business. If the feedback is coming from the staff or the director, make sure to schedule calls if possible to talk in a video call to better understand the points. Many things can be missed through text and the full message may not be properly delivered. and as others pointed out, curiously and sincerely ask questions to show your genuine interest in improvement.

Pour ma part, dans le processus d'apprentissage et d'amélioration de la qualité de service, tous les retours sont utiles. L'essentiel est qu'ils soient formulés avec respect, en évitant tout mépris envers l'autre. Dans le monde professionnel, surtout avec des collègues du même secteur, les critiques sont fréquentes, même si elles ne sont pas toujours constructives. Elles offrent un éclairage sur la perception de votre travail par vos pairs.

Feedback should be data driven and provided from the intend of further advancement. The article does not clearly provide relevant practical tools to manage and receive feedbacks. Using KPI or other performance measurement tools, documentation throughout the year is extra work for management but serves as an important key to provide productive feedbacks. Healthy feedback and self-reflect both way are great ways to improve any relationships and their productivities as a team.

Establish regular one-on-one meetings or team check-ins to provide a platform for open dialogue. Utilize video conferencing tools to simulate face-to-face interactions, enabling clear communication and the interpretation of non-verbal cues. When giving feedback, be specific, focusing on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal attributes. Foster a positive feedback culture by encouraging all team members to actively participate in feedback exchanges. Utilize written communication channels for asynchronous feedback, allowing individuals to reflect on and reference feedback at their own pace. Celebrate successes and ensure feedback implementation to foster continuous improvement and teamwork across distances.

There's one thing that's essential regarding feedback. Ask for it. I second @Rex Su in that regard and I would like to emphasize that this goes both ways. Both, translator and client should actively ask for feedback. As a translator, I always find unclear or questionable wordings or sections in the source text. As a veteran in the business I have therefore established a very welcoming feedback agreement with my clients. But if you are a client working with a translator for the first time, feel free to ask the translator for feedback on the source text. There's always room for improvement and, after all, translators are experienced content creators. It goes without saying that, as a translator, you also ask for feedback on your work.