GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Feedback is an essential element for everyone in an organization’s workforce. Giving feedback is
a task you perform again and again as a manager or supervisor, letting people know where they
are and where to go next in terms of expectations and goals – yours, their own, and the
organizations.
Feedback is a useful tool for indicating when things are going in the right direction or for
redirecting problem performance. Your objective in giving feedback is to provide guidance by
supplying information in a useful manner, either to support effective behavior, or to guide someone
back on track toward successful performance.
Some situations which require giving constructive feedback include:
• Ongoing performance discussions
• Providing specific performance pointers
• Following up on coaching discussions
• Giving corrective guidance
• Letting someone know the consequences of their behavior
Some clues that constructive feedback is needed are when:
• Someone asks for your opinion about how they are doing
• Unresolved problems persist
• Errors occur again and again
• An employee’s performance doesn’t meet expectations
• A peer’s work habits disturb you
SIX WAYS TO MAKE FEEDBACK CONSTRUCTIVE
Part of being an effective manager or supervisor is knowing what feedback to give. The trick is
learning how to give it constructively so that it has some value. constructive feedback is a tool that
is used to build things up, not break things down. It lets the other person know that you are on
their side.
1. If you can’t think of a constructive purpose for giving feedback, don’t give it at all.
2. Focus on description rather than judgement.
Describing behavior is a way of reporting what has occurred, while judging behavior is an
evaluation of what has occurred in terms of “right or wrong”, or “good or bad”. By avoiding
evaluative language, you reduce the need for the individual to respond defensively.
For example: “You demonstrate a high degree of confidence when you answer customer
questions about registration procedures, “rather than, “Your communication skills are good.”
3. Focus on observation rather than inference.
Observations refer to what you can see or hear about an individual’s behavior, while inferences
refer to the assumptions and interpretations you make from what you see or hear. Focus on what
the person did and your reaction.
For example: “When you gave that student the Financial Aid form, you tossed it across the
counter,” rather than describe what you assume to be the person’s motivation, “I suppose you
give all forms out that way!”
4. Focus on behavior rather than the person
Refer to what an individual does rather than on what you imagine she or he is. To focus on
behavior, use adverbs, which describe action, rather than adjectives, which describe qualities.
For example: “You talked considerably during the staff meeting, which prevented me from getting
to some of the main points,” rather than “You talk too much.”
5. Provide a balance of positive and negative feedback
If you consistently give only positive or negative feedback, people will distrust the feedback and it
will become useless.
6. Be aware of feedback overload.
Select two or three important points you want to make and offer feedback about those points. If
you overload an individual with feedback, she or he may become confused about what needs to
be improved or changed.
For example: “The number of applicants and the time it takes you to enter them are both within
the expected ranges. The number of keying errors you are currently making is higher than
expected.”
Giving feedback constructively benefits everyone. You, as the manager or supervisor, use the ongoing exchange of information as a way of getting to know your people and providing them with
valuable guidance in their work. The employee, manager, supervisor, or peer receives data that
makes that makes her or his job go easier. The organization gains in improved productivity of its
workforce.
THE SIX STEP METHOD FOR GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Step 1: State the constructive purpose of your feedback.
State your purpose briefly by indicating what you’d like to cover and why it’s important. If you are
initiating feedback, this focus keeps the other person from having to guess what you want to talk
about. If the other person has requested feedback, a focusing statement will make sure that you
direct your feedback toward what the person needs.
For example: “I have a concern about.”
“I feel I need to let you know.”
“I want to discuss.”
“I have some thoughts about.”
Step 2: Describe specifically what you have observed.
Have a certain event or action in mind and be able to say when and where it happened, who was
involved, and what the results were. Stick to what you personally observed and don’t try to speak
for others. Avoid talking vaguely about what the person “always” or “usually” does.
For example: “Yesterday afternoon, when you were speaking with Mrs. Sanchez, I noticed that
you kept raising your voice.”
Step 3: Describe your reactions.
Explain the consequences of the other person’s behavior and how you feel about it. Give
examples of how you and others are affected. When you describe your reactions or the
consequences of the observed behaviors, the other person can better appreciate the impact their
actions are having on others and on the organization or team as a whole.
For example: “The staff member looked embarrassed and I felt uncomfortable about seeing the
episode.” “Shouting at our students is not acceptable behavior in this
department.”
Step 4: Give the other person an opportunity to respond.
Remain silent and meet the other persons eye, indicating that you are waiting for answer. If the
person hesitates to respond, ask an open ended question.
For example: “What do you think?”
“What is your view of this situation?”
“What are your reaction to this?”
“Tell me, what are your thoughts?”
Step 5: Offer specific suggestions.
Whenever possible make your suggestions helpful by including practical, feasible examples.
Offering suggestions shows that you have thought past your evaluations and moved to how to
improve the situation. Even if people are working up to expected standards, they often benefit
from ideas that could help them to perform better.
If your feedback was offered supportively or neutrally, in the “for your information” mode, or
depending on the situation’s circumstances, suggestions may not be appropriate. Use your
common sense and offer an idea if you think the other person will find it useful. Don’t drum up a
suggestion for improvement just for the sake of it.
For example: “Jennifer, I sometimes write myself notes or put up signs to remind myself to do
something.”
“Jill, rather than telling Ed that you’re not interested in all the details, you might try
asking him specific questions about the information you are most interested in.”
Step 6: Summarize and express your support
Review the major points you discussed. Summarize the Action items, not the negative points of
the other person’s behavior. If you have given neutral feedback, emphasize the main points you
have wanted to convey. For corrective feedback, stress the main things you’ve discussed that the
person could do differently. End on a positive note by communicating confidence in the person’s
ability to improve the situation.
For example: “As I said, the way the group has figured out how to cover phone calls has really
lessened the number of phone messages to be returned. You’ve really followed through on a
tough problem. Please keep taking the initiate on problems like that.
By summarizing, you can avoid misunderstandings and check to make sure that your
communication is clean. This summary is an opportunity to show your support for the other
person—a way to conclude even an negative feedback situation on a positive note.
For example: “At least we understand each other better since we’ve talked. I’ll do what I can to
make sure your priorities are factored into the schedule, and I’ll expect you to
come straight to me if the schedule is a problem.
Note: Information on Recognizing Good Performance, Characteristics of Good Recognition, Coaching: An Approach to
Solving Performance Problems, and Giving Constructive Feedback provided courtesy of Enrollment Services Training,
Staff Development and the Work-Study Office, Boston University.
