The Importance of Developing Feedback Skills in the Workplace

Both giving and receiving feedback are essential skills to develop in any work environment. Providing and receiving positive feedback that aligns with your company's standards can be beneficial in maintaining high-quality work and behavior. This not only increases your chances of success in your role but can also pave the way for raises and promotions.

Constructive (Negative) Feedback

Giving negative feedback can be a tricky process, but it can be helpful if done in the right way. The goal should always be to transform negative feedback into constructive criticism, enabling the persons in question to grow and improve their performance in the workplace or other social activities/ interactions.

It is not easy to accept negative feedback, but if it is constructive, people can become aware that they need to take action and improve.

When I received negative feedback in the past, I felt disappointed, sad, and maybe even a little angry with my team leader. However, after reflecting on it, I realized that I had made a mistake. I motivated myself to do better and learn from the experience. Mastering this skill requires a mix of maturity and how one receives feedback.

Negative => Constructive? How?

?? You need to be clear and specific with your arguments.

?? In both situations of giving and receiving, you need to have or build a relationship based on trust.

?? You need to be as objective as possible and avoid making it personal. When receiving feedback, try not to react in the moment, be as calm as possible, and reflect on every argument received.

?? Also, let the receiver share their perspective. It can be a factor that could change the context.

?? It is beneficial to provide negative feedback as soon as possible. In this way, you have fresh information to give and analyze together with the person in question.

Positive feedback

When it comes to giving and receiving positive feedback, it is easier to approach, and the receiver gets an instant well-being boost. However, it's not always efficient or genuinely constructive.

?? You need to make sure to highlight the most significant and relevant aspects that you appreciate.

?? Avoid providing general or vague feedback. Give examples and specific situations so that the receiver understands exactly why they had good results.

?? Sometimes it is beneficial to deliver positive feedback in front of others.

?? If you tend to give vague feedback repeatedly, you may become perceived as superficial, insincere, or double-faced.

When I received “bad” positive feedback in the past, I felt like I was rushed by the person who delivered it, or that over time, the sessions of feedback had lost their meaning.

Conclusions

As a giver, please do the proper research to deliver positive or constructive feedback, do your homework and come up with specific examples, and always keep in mind that the objective of the discussion is to maintain and/or increase the performance of the receiver.

As a receiver, please use the pieces of feedback received to grow and to become a better professional. If you did not receive clear feedback, dare to ask for more arguments.

Keep your head up and focus on growing your performance! ??