Is this feedback positive or negative ? (Performance Basicz)

Is the key criteria when assessing feedback: is the feedback Positive or Negative ? Isn't it more important how the feedback makes you feel ... rather than how it's labelled ?

Does the feedback make you feel like

(1) Disconnected: I am not listening to any more of this feedback from this person - "disconnected" which generally results in limited to no change or improvement or the other equally undesirable outcome:

(2) Discouraged: I am never doing that role / job / task / conversation again ! (discouraged from further engagement / improvement) or

(3) Encouraged: Does it make you feel like you want to and you can do a better job next time ? (then that would seem to be feedback with a good outcome - you are encouraged to improve)

Courage comes from the people around you and their positive support of you: believe me a a public speaker I know that for myself and the public speakers I coach: nothing counts more for continued improvements than continually positive and encouraging feedback (which earns you the right to blend in the other key ingredient: some suggestions)

Take action: (1) consider before you deliver feedback this: if my feedback isn't positive and encouraging is it really worth sharing (2) before I give this feedback, if I put myself in your shoes (empathy) how do I think my feedback will make you feel ? Will the effect help improve my relationship with you and or the performance of our team ? Is that the effect that I really want to create ?

This is part of our series on "The Power of Positive Feedback"