How do you develop a feedback-oriented mindset in colleagues and clients?

1 Why mindfulness matters

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with curiosity, compassion, and non-judgment. It can help you become more aware of your own thoughts, emotions, and reactions, as well as those of others. By being mindful, you can avoid taking feedback personally, reduce defensiveness and resistance, and respond constructively and respectfully. Mindfulness can also help you give feedback that is clear, specific, and supportive, and that aligns with your goals and values.

2 How to prepare for feedback

Before you give or receive feedback, it is important to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. You can do this by setting an intention, checking your assumptions, and creating a safe space. Setting an intention means clarifying why you want to give or receive feedback, and what you hope to achieve or learn from it. Checking your assumptions means being aware of any biases, expectations, or judgments that might influence your feedback or how you perceive it. Creating a safe space means establishing rapport, trust, and respect with the feedback partner, and agreeing on the ground rules, such as confidentiality, honesty, and openness.

3 How to give feedback

Giving effective feedback is key to ensuring it is relevant, timely, and actionable. It's important to balance positive and negative feedback, and the sandwich method is a great way to do that - start and end with something positive, and put the constructive feedback in the middle. When giving feedback, start by expressing appreciation for your partner's willingness to receive it. Then use specific examples and facts to describe the situation or behavior you want to give feedback on, and explain how it affected you or the team. Invite your partner to share their point of view, listen actively and empathically, and offer suggestions or recommendations on how they can improve. Finally, reaffirm your appreciation and confidence in them, and offer your support and follow-up.

4 How to receive feedback

When receiving feedback, it's important to remain open, curious, and grateful. Avoid reacting defensively, dismissively, or aggressively. Instead, use the feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. To receive feedback effectively, listen attentively and avoid interrupting, arguing, or justifying. Clarify and confirm by asking questions and summarizing what you heard. Acknowledge and appreciate the feedback giver for their time and effort, and recognize their perspective and intention. Take some time to reflect on the feedback in relation to your goals and values, then share your thoughts and feelings about it. Finally, ask for support from the feedback giver or others to help you act on the feedback.

5 How to follow up on feedback

After you give or receive feedback, it is important to follow up on it, and monitor the progress and results. Setting SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) can help with this. Additionally, you should schedule regular check-ins to review the goals, actions, and outcomes. Celebrate successes and address challenges that arise. Lastly, seek or offer more feedback on the feedback process itself to improve or sustain it.

6 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?