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Guidelines for giving constructive feedback
- Focus on the positive – what you talk about you are reinforcing – where possible give positive feedback first and last.
- Be descriptive, not evaluative.
- Talk about the specific behaviour and give an example where possible.
- Use an “I” statements.
- Where feedback is negative suggest alternatives where appropriate. Ask yourself – Why am I giving this feedback? For me? Or to help the person concerned?
- Remember feedback says at least as much about the giver as the receiver.
- It is normally useful to give negative feedback only about things that can be changed.
- Give feedback as soon after the event as possible.
- Give feedback only when asked to do so, or when your offer of feedback is accepted.
Guidelines for Receiving Feedback
- Listen to feedback.
- Assume that feedback is constructive.
- Use and consider only those elements which are constructive, and consider them carefully.
- Pause and think before responding.
- Ask to repeat if you havent heard clearly.
- Ask for clarification or examples if statements are unclear or unsupported.
- Accept negative and positive feedback positively for consideration, rather than dismissively for your protection.
- Ask for suggestions of ways you might modify or change your behaviour.
- Respect the person giving feedback, and thank them.
More on feedback
