What do you do if your Industrial Design team is resistant to open and honest feedback?

1 Build Trust

Building trust is essential when dealing with resistance to feedback. Start by creating a safe space where team members feel valued and respected. Show empathy and understanding towards their ideas and concerns, reinforcing that feedback is not a personal attack but a constructive part of the design process. Regular team-building activities can also help strengthen relationships, making it easier to share and receive candid feedback.

2 Encourage Dialogue

Encouraging dialogue is key to overcoming feedback resistance. Facilitate open discussions where everyone has an opportunity to speak and be heard. This includes not just verbal communication but also allowing team members to express their thoughts through sketches or prototypes. By promoting an inclusive dialogue, you can demystify the feedback process and help your team see it as a collaborative effort rather than a critique.

3 Set Expectations

Setting clear expectations about the feedback process can alleviate anxiety and resistance. Make sure your team understands that feedback is an integral part of the industrial design process, aimed at refining ideas and achieving the best possible outcome. Establish guidelines on how to give and receive feedback effectively, emphasizing the importance of being specific, objective, and solution-oriented.

4 Provide Training

Sometimes resistance stems from a lack of know-how. Providing training on how to give and receive feedback can empower your team. Workshops or seminars on communication skills, emotional intelligence, and constructive criticism can equip your team with the tools they need to engage in the feedback process confidently and respectfully.

5 Lead by Example

Leading by example is one of the most powerful ways to influence your team's attitude towards feedback. Demonstrate how to give and receive feedback in a constructive manner. When you're on the receiving end, show openness and appreciation for the insights offered. Your behavior sets the tone for the team's interactions and can inspire others to follow suit.

6 Reflect and Adapt

Finally, it's important to reflect on the feedback process itself and be willing to adapt. Solicit feedback on how feedback is given within your team. This meta-feedback can reveal insights into how the process can be improved to be more effective and less intimidating. Be prepared to make changes to your approach based on what you learn, showing your team that you value their input on all levels.

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?