How can you make feedback more interactive and engaging during meetings?

1 Start with praise

Before you dive into the areas of improvement, start with some genuine and specific praise for your team members. This will help them feel valued and appreciated, and also create a positive and trusting atmosphere. Praise can also boost their confidence and motivation, and make them more receptive to constructive feedback.

2 Ask open-ended questions

Instead of telling your team members what they did wrong or what they need to do better, ask them open-ended questions that invite them to reflect and share their own perspectives. For example, you can ask them what they think went well, what they found challenging, what they learned, and what they would do differently next time. This will help them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and also show that you respect their opinions and input.

3 Use the SBI model

The SBI model is a simple and effective framework for giving constructive feedback. It stands for Situation, Behavior, and Impact. You start by describing the specific situation where you observed the behavior, then you describe the behavior itself, and finally you explain the impact that the behavior had on the team or the project. For example, you can say "In yesterday's presentation, you spoke very fast and did not pause for questions. This made it hard for the audience to follow your main points and to engage with you." The SBI model helps you to be clear, objective, and focused on the behavior, not the person.

4 Encourage peer feedback

Feedback does not have to come only from you as the leader. You can also encourage your team members to give and receive feedback from each other. This will help them to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, to build rapport and trust, and to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. You can facilitate peer feedback by creating a safe and supportive environment, by providing some guidelines and examples, and by asking for volunteers or assigning pairs or groups.

5 Use interactive tools

Another way to make feedback more interactive and engaging is to use some tools that can help you collect, visualize, and analyze feedback data. For example, you can use online surveys, polls, quizzes, or forms to gather feedback from your team members before, during, or after a meeting. You can also use tools like Mentimeter, Kahoot, or Slido to create interactive presentations, games, or polls that can make feedback fun and interactive. These tools can help you to get a better understanding of your team's needs, preferences, and opinions, and to share feedback in a more dynamic and interactive way.

6 Follow up and act on feedback

The last tip is to make sure that you follow up and act on the feedback that you give and receive. Feedback is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires action and improvement. You should check in with your team members regularly, monitor their progress, celebrate their achievements, and provide ongoing support and guidance. You should also be open to receiving feedback yourself, and show that you are willing to learn and improve from it. By following up and acting on feedback, you will show your team that you care about their growth and success, and that feedback is a valuable and meaningful part of your team's culture.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?