Great Feedback

Feedback is an important part of a healthy team. When delivered well, it can help improve the productivity of the team while also contributing to a positive team dynamic.

The challenge is that delivering feedback is a skill that most of us don’t learn. We confuse feedback with evaluation. Instead of delivering information about how someone’s behavior impacts us, we share judgments about what’s good or bad about them. The result is often defensiveness and eroded trust. On this page, I’ve assembled some resources you can use to practice giving and receiving feedback.

Start Here. This video takes you through the fundamentals of feedback touching on the definition of feedback, the right mindset to deliver feedback, and then the mechanics of how to do it well.

Hand stopping a set of dominoes from falling any further

SLIDES: Autodesk Great Feedback Davey
Here are the slides that I use in the video. Feel free to use them as you wish.

Feedback isn't easy to hear - but it can be just as hard to give. Here's how to do it effectively.

ARTICLE: How to deliver feedback
Here’s an article you can read and share about how to give feedback.

one person giving feedback to another, who looks stressed

ARTICLE: Give a Heads Up on Feedback
How to make sure feedback doesn’t come as a surprise.

Two employees talking in a casual environment

ARTICLE: Exercise: Group Feedback Sessions
This way of soliciting feedback works when you’re together with a team. It helps you get a quick take on what’s working and where people would like to see change.

One of the main reasons we don't give constructive feedback is because we fear an ugly reaction. Don't fear it, expect it!

ARTICLE: How to Cope with Backlash to Your Feedback
Sometimes the reaction we get to feedback isn’t what we would have hoped. Here’s how to deal with it when someone reacts poorly to your feedback.

Person having difficult conversation that other person doesn't want to hear

ARTICLE: Maybe you shouldn’t give feedback
It’s important to be in a constructive headspace before you give feedback. If you can’t get there, you won’t be in a position to deliver feedback well. These are some guidelines about when you shouldn’t give feedback.

There are tips you can use to make sure you receive feedback in a way that helps you succeed and strengthens your relationships

ARTICLE: How to receive feedback
Building a culture of feedback requires not only that you become skilled at delivering feedback but also that you learn how to take feedback and use it

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