27 Mar The Power of Feedback
Feedback will follow you wherever you go. And you shouldn’t ignore it — giving and receiving feedback are two skills that simultaneously help you grow, both personally and professionally.
Knowing how to deliver constructive feedback enhances the impact it has on the receiver. Furthermore, how you engage with criticism is crucial for self-improving after teachers’ assessments, employee performance reviews, and many other scenarios.
When delivered effectively, feedback fosters critical thinking and engagement in the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to analyze their past and present behavior and then apply what they learn moving forward. They are empowered to take action when they’re aware of what needs work. From there, students will engage with your feedback if you provide the opportunity to continuously improve upon skills with other class materials and assignments. On top of that, peer-to-peer feedback is an essential component in students’ engagement with one another. It allows them to practice giving constructive criticism, while using critical thinking skills to help fellow classmates realize ways to improve.
Giving Feedback:
A huge component of giving feedback requires strong communication skills. Knowing what you’re going to say is the first layer of feedback. However, the way you communicate that info makes all the difference on the influence it will have in driving the receiver’s development. Tone, timing, and place are some of the things to consider before you deliver constructive criticism. For example, avoid sharing feedback with an individual student in front of a class so they don’t feel embarrassed or singled out. The feeling of embarrassment can overshadow their ability to process your advice and might foster feelings of resentment. Here are some tips for maximizing the impact of your feedback:
- Ask for permission. In some cases feedback is expected, therefore asking isn’t necessary. However, when someone can mentally prepare for criticism they are able to proactively listen.
- Immediacy is crucial. This allows the person receiving feedback to better recall their behavior tied to your comments.
- Provide specific examples. General feedback can come off as an attack on who someone is, as opposed to his or her behavior. Specificity allows people to conceptualize their behavior.
Receiving Feedback
Receiving feedback is more than just listening. It also involves processing what was said, analyzing what was meant, and applying what you learn moving forward. Using your critical thinking skills makes you more involved in the feedback process, and allows you to take action towards personal growth.
As stated by Sheila Heen and Douglas Stone, the process of receiving feedback “strikes tension between two core human needs—the need to learn and grow, and the need to be accepted just the way you are”. Don’t let feedback threaten your morale. Follow these tips:
- Separate the feedback from the person giving it. Don’t let feelings towards someone affect the value of what was said.
- Be self-aware of your flaws. If you already have a general idea of what areas need improving, you are better prepared to ask questions and discuss ways to approach what needs work with the person providing feedback.
- Take notes. When looking back on their feedback you can accurately recall what they said, instead of what you think you heard.
- Thank the giver. Feedback is a gift. When you engage with the feedback you learn more about yourself and it helps you improve moving forward.
Giving and receiving feedback allows you to develop and refine skills that are critical to your success. On top of that, delivering feedback helps sharpen your ability to communicate, while receiving advances several other soft skills, including critical thinking.