How to Give Constructive Feedback

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How to Give Constructive Feedback

Sometimes, you need to give people feedback on their performance. Some of that feedback will need to be negative feedback.

This happens whenever you perceive the other persons actions to be:

• wrong
• bad
• below standard
• immoral
• inefficient or
• ineffective.

From time to time, since nobody is perfect, we all need to hear negative feedback. The problem is that nobody likes to hear negative assessments of their performance.

What are the typical emotional responses people give upon hearing negative feedback, on what they have said or done?

Often their emotions are; resentment, anger, upset, denial, indignation, self-justification and evasion.

We have a problem! Our success demands that people accept negative feedback; but each time we try to give negative feedback, they regress into emotional states of denial, resentment, anger and self-justification.

So, we need to know how to deliver a negative feedback message in such a way that it is perceived, as corrective guidance, rather than a reprimand, rebuke, rejection, or failure.

How can we learn that difference? Study the following grid and think about its meaning. It is colour-coded, like a traffic light.

• Green means go.
• Red means NO go.

When you are in negative feedback situation, listen to the language you use.

Do not use language that is based on the red column.

Use language that is based on the green column. Modify your language and make it comply with the green feedback column.

Your aim is to word your message so that it is less likely to trigger a negative emotional response.

You want your message to be likely to create a pensive response.

Join me later today (5 May 2020), to discover how you can give feedback in this way. Our live Personal Development Webinar at 14:00 BST (UTC+1) is "Feedback: the breakfast of champions."

FREE, live streaming Personal Development Webinars.

Each of the eight modules covers a different topic:

• How your thoughts affect the result
• Reduce fear and replace it with confidence
• How to positively influence others
• A five-part formula for success
• Prioritisation: How to get the most from every day
• Feedback: the breakfast of champions
• A Healthy mind and healthy body
• How to set and achieve your goals

Don't delay, register today!

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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