How to Give Constructive Feedback

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

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.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• What are the Qualities of a Thought Leader?
  Thought leaders bring their expertise to a brand or business to develop new ideas and take it to a higher level. Thought leaders need certain qualities in order to get people on board to deliver the changes needed for a successful outcome.
  Read Article >
• Good leadership and management is just common sense isn't it?
  Isn't good leadership and management just common sense? At the conclusion of the two day effective leader manager course and the advanced leadership course I am often told the same thing by departing delegates. They often say "that was a terrific course and I learned a lot. But when you think...
  Read Article >
• What are the most important leadership skills?
  There are ten important skills that you need to perfect if you want to be a good leader. Check out these skills and see where you can perform better.
  Read Article >
• Effective Leadership
  Effective Leadership - leadership training What are the definitions, examples and qualities of effective leadership? Definition of leadership: A leader is person who is able to create and sustain a clear vision for a better future and who is able to communicate that vision so as to inspire others to act...
  Read Article >
• 20 Key Elements for Leadership Skills
  20 Key Elements for Leadership Skills Goals and self-confidence. All leaders are leaders because they share leadership qualities. If you have not developed leadership qualities then you cannot, by definition, become a leader. On the other hand, if you do develop your leadership qualities, then, to that degree, you qualify as...
  Read Article >

Advert