Feedback Strategies

As someone who hopes to understand more of how I can better give/receive more constructive feedback, this assignment was useful and informative in how to best tweak methodology and facilitate the best possible results for both the giver and the recipient of feedback.

Articles:

     Grant, Adam. How to Give Feedback Without Sounding Like a Jerk. Link

               .This article grabbed my interest from the get-go by outlining the "feedback sandwich", a positively bracketed slice of suggestion which many people default to in order to buffer the negative aspects of their feedback. I definitely abuse this method, and it was very informative to see where it can go wrong. The better methodology was as follows:

          1. Explain the WHY. "I'm giving you these comments because I have very high expectations and I know that you can reach them.

          2. Hop off the pedestal to level the playing field: I've benefited from others doing this/studying effective managers/let's both give each other suggestions.

          3. Allow them ownership by ASKing first. "I've noticed a couple things and wondered if you're interested in some feedback."

          4. Transparency >>> Manipulation. 

     

Kohn, Alfie. Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!". Link.

               The points this article makes about the inherent manipulation of regulating how often kids hear that they're doing a good job is incredibly valid. To encourage reliance on parental platitudes lessens the value children put on how they feel about their work: even if a kiddo feels they've done well with something, the positive feeling they naturally get from having pride in their work can be lessened or even disregarded when parents or overseers fail to offer a "good job!" after doing so for every other project, making them self conscious and decimating their confidence. These types of environments are creating approval addicts rather than self-aware artists, as the agreement of a teaching figure is valued over the integrity of the project. Interest in topics and creative endeavors should be internally motivated rather than externally.

Image Info: A picture of multiple "thumbs-up" hands from a website offering business leadership advice.
Source: http://www.peterspann.com/positive-feedback-3/