7 Factors to consider when giving Feedback

When you’re new to giving project/Task?feedback, it can seem like an incredibly daunting task. However, like any skill, giving effective feedback can be improved and polished over time.?

Project feedback is a conversation about a team member’s performance that should result in a clear next step toward their improvement. This type of feedback is typically shared by a?top?manager, who may or may not be the team members’ direct manager. By focusing on specific project/task?details—rather than broad-scale career-level feedback—you can build trust between yourself and your team. When done well, feedback can be instrumental in improving deliverables and fast-tracking your team’s professional growth.??

The seven steps below offer some effective feedback examples to help you nail the feedback process and set your team up for success.?

1. Choose the right time

Timing is a key consideration when offering feedback. In order to get this right, ask your team members when they prefer to get feedback. Do they like to get feedback immediately? Would they rather meet late in the week to discuss ongoing projects/tasks??

When giving feedback, imagine you’re leading a brainstorm. Encourage your team to bring ideas and share their thoughts during the feedback session. A well-timed and planned project feedback session can generate new ideas that drive the project forward.??

Strive for a healthy balance of face-to-face feedback and asynchronous communication, or offline communication. You might think face-to-face feedback is always better, but some team members prefer to see feedback in writing first, and then talk about it. Ask team members if they have a preference, and how you can create a positive feedback experience for them. This is especially relevant in the era of remote work, where you might not see team members in person every day.

2. Use the correct type of feedback

Knowing what type of feedback to give is half the battle of the feedback process. Different scenarios call for different types of feedback, and as a team lead, you need to recognize what type is most appropriate for the situation.?

Not every type of feedback is relevant or even appropriate for you to give. If you’re leading a team but not actually managing the people you work with, you may want to steer clear of some heavier types of feedback, like performance evaluations. On the flip side, if you’re simultaneously the team manager, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to bundle project,?objective, task,?professional, and performance feedback, or separate those into different feedback sessions.

The 6 types of feedback

1. Formal feedback: This type of feedback is appropriate for planned meetings that you specifically designate for feedback, like quarterly reviews. Both sides should know the conversation topics and come prepared with thoughts and questions.?
2. Informal feedback: Informal feedback can range from offering kudos on a job well done to making a quick edit on a project. This type of project feedback is trickier because it can be spontaneous, so consider your setting before giving informal feedback.?
3. Positive feedback: Positive feedback is just as vital as constructive feedback. You should ensure you’re praising team members for impressive work. By doing so, you’ll remind your team that you notice both the positives and the negatives.?
4. Encouragement feedback: Similar to positive feedback, you can use encouragement feedback to give your team member a pick-me-up. Have they been working through a difficult project or seem a little burned out? Remind them of their value and how appreciated they are. It’ll go a long way.?
5. Forward feedback: Forward-looking feedback focuses on future solutions rather than past corrections. This type of feedback is more of a proactive approach for improvement based on past observations. For example, if a team member is struggling with time management, you might want to recommend a calendar organization tool rather than dwelling on a late project.?
6. Constructive feedback: Constructive criticism is the best type of feedback for helping team members grow. Offering constructive criticism involves analyzing a project, identifying an opportunity for improvement, and providing a detailed recommendation on how to improve.

?To be continued in the next week edition

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