How To

Instructions:

Divide the class into 3 teams. Distribute a flip chart paper to each team.

A Team

They will brainstorm as many reasons as possible that might make them reluctant to give someone feedback.

Team B

They will brainstorm as many things as possible that feedback will help them achieve. How can feedback help them?

Team C

He or she will brainstorm as many things as possible that will make the feedback session effective.

Give teams 15 minutes to brainstorm and pitch their ideas. When the 15 minutes are up, have each team present their ideas as follows:

Ask team A to come to the front of the room and hang their chalkboards.

Ask team A:

Even though you know in the abstract that giving feedback is important, you may still be hesitant sometimes, especially about giving corrective feedback. What reasons have you found that might make you reluctant to give feedback to someone?

To question:

You are afraid of an awkward situation
You feel like the person is already stuck in their own way and feedback won't help
You assume the person cannot handle the feedback
You know from the previous examples that the person resists feedback or does not act on it.
You don't want to jeopardize your relationship with that person.
After everyone has participated and shared their ideas, make the following point:

Seeing the Main Idea:

Notice how many of these ideas and obstacles that come to your mind are self-constructed. Knowing that giving in to these self-imposed ideas will make you fear the worst and will only keep you from having productive conversations, so you need to start by clearing out such ideas. In fact, sharing feedback regularly will give you more experience and you will get used to such conversations. And finally, understanding the most effective way to prepare and evaluate feedback will help you overcome those problems that may be holding you back.

Thank the group and ask them to return to their seats.

Ask team B to come to the front of the room and hang their chalkboards.

Ask this group to share ideas about what they could achieve with feedback. How can feedback help them?

To question:

Contribute to the learning and development of others
Motivate and inspire others to higher levels of performance.
Provide direction and show your direct reports and colleagues that you pay attention to them and care about their performance.
Show your appreciation for a job well done.
Redirect unwanted behavior
Point out a more efficient course of action.

Seeing the Main Idea:

Giving constructive feedback when necessary is crucial to creating a productive work environment. If you give that feedback the right way, which is what we're going to learn in today's lesson, it doesn't have to threaten the relationship between you and the person receiving the feedback. The person will be able to use your input to improve their performance. A well-planned feedback discussion is an opportunity for you to share your observations about their work performance with others to ensure productive change.

Thank the group and ask them to return to their seats.

Ask team C to come to the front of the room and hang their chalkboards.

Ask group C:

Thinking back to a previous positive feedback interaction you had, what made it effective?

To question:

had realistic expectations
He was respectful
Aimed at achieving a specific result
It was a two-way conversation
It is stated as a perspective, not as an absolute truth.
Provides tracking opportunity

Seeing the Main Idea:

Specific and honest feedback supported by evidence will help others develop goals, make and reinforce positive changes, increase self-confidence, and encourage action.

Thank team C and ask them to return to their seats.