Principles of Constructive Feedback
Feedback is a way of learning more about ourselves and the effect our behaviour has on others. Constructive feedback increases self-awareness, offers guidance and encourages development, so it is important to learn both to give it and to receive it. Constructive feedback does not mean only giving positive feedback (praise). Negative, or critical feedback given skilfully can be very important and useful. Destructive feedback, negative feedback given in an unskilled way generally leaves the recipient simply feeling bad with seemingly nothing on which to build and no useful information to use for learning.
There are some general principles of giving feedback, which, if followed will help you achieve a positive outcome.
1. Start with the positive
Most people need encouragement, to be told when they are doing something well. When offering feedback it can really help the receiver to hear first what they have done well. It is often common for individuals to emphasise the negative therefore the focus is likely to be on mistakes more often than successes. In a rush to criticise, we may overlook the things we liked. If the positive is registered first, any negative is more likely to be listened to and acted upon.
2. Be specific
Try to avoid general comments which are not useful when it comes to developing skills. Statements such as you were brilliant!" or "it was awful" may be pleasant or dreadful to hear, but they don't give enough detail to be useful sources of learning. Try to pin-point what the person did that led you to use the label of "brilliant" or "awful" e.g. "the way you asked that question just at that moment was really helpful and enabled us to resolve that issue more quickly" or by responding in that way you seemed to be wanting to impose your opinions on the rest of the team". Specific feedback gives more opportunity for learning.