Feedback Strategies: How to Give Feedback

Feedback works best as a dialogue
Source: Pixabay

How does one give feedback effectively?

"Put a slice of praise on the top and the bottom, and stick the meat of your criticism in between. It’s the compliment sandwich"

  This is the piece of advice that I've often heard, but it is difficult to implement. The quote is from a very interesting article called "How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk", written by Adam Grant. I found this article to be of particular use, as I often find it difficult to deal out criticism. Here the author states that the "feedback sandwich doesn’t taste as good as it looks". The initial praise can be glanced over; seen as a mere attempt to soften the blow of the upcoming criticism. It can come across as insincere. Alternatively, if the praise is believed, it can outweigh the negatives, leaving the criticism null and void in the receivers eyes. But the author has given some genuinely helpful advice on how to get feedback across well.

  The first tip is to simply explain why you are giving the feedback. Assuring the receiver that you are giving feedback because you believe that they have much more potential leaves them feeling as though you are on their side, and trying to help them. People will accept being challenged if they feel that you care about them personally. The next tip is to show that you are aware of your own imperfections. Expressing that you are still growing and learning as well will even the playing field in the receivers eyes. Another method is to ask someone if they would like some feedback. I particularly like this piece of advice. It puts the power in the receivers hands, and they get to make the decision, and will be less defensive about hearing some criticism. The final tip is to be completely transparent in your motivations. Create a dialogue with the receiver rather than a lecture or monologue.

  Grant has laid out some incredibly helpful advice in this article. I plan to make use of these tips going forward.

  Another article I found to be of interest was "The Trouble with “Amazing”: Giving Praise that Matters", by Jennifer Gonzalez. She maintains that giving undeserved positive praise can actually be harmful to growth, and hinder motivation. More often than not, the receiver will know that the false praise is just that. She likens it to American Idol, where the contestants would be eager to get to the end of Paula's unrealistically positive review, and get to Simon Cowell's real, critical, and honest appraisal. Gonzalez says that general praise does not highlight what we are doing right. Specific, actionable feedback tells the receiver what they have done well. As well as this, praising the effort rather than the person can have positive effects, and promotes a growth mindset.

  All of these methods show effective ways of giving an actual critique to people, rather than hiding behind generic praise. This has been particularly helpful for me, as I do find it hard to tell my peers where they can improve. I always feel like I am in no position to tell someone else what they could improve upon when I am nowhere near perfection myself. But following the advice here, I can even out the playing field and learn and improve right alongside those who would appreciate my feedback.

- Ultan