The video “The secret to giving great feedback | The Way We Work, a TED series” by LeeAnn Renninger gives useful tips on how to give feedback at work.
—
Effective feedback is essential in the modern workplace, but many people need help to deliver it helpfully and productively. In “The Way We Work” podcast, LeeAnn Renninger shares a five-step plan for giving feedback that can turn challenging conversations into positive experiences.
- Begin with a “micro-yes” question: Start the conversation by asking a brief, essential question that sets the stage for feedback. This approach informs the recipient that feedback is on its way and offers them a sense of autonomy by agreeing to engage in the conversation.
- Provide specific data: Avoid general or subjective language when giving feedback. Instead, use clear, specific words that won’t be misinterpreted or mean different things to different people.
- Explain the impact: Share a statement about how the feedback affected you as the person giving it. This helps the recipient understand why the feedback matters and gives it a sense of purpose.
- End with a solution-focused question: Conclude the feedback with a question encouraging both parties to work together to address the issue at hand.
- Regularly ask for feedback: Actively seeking feedback demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and improvement. It also gives you a better idea of where to focus your efforts.
Following this five-step plan, you can foster an environment where feedback is valuable and leads to growth and progress rather than defensiveness and confusion.
