Feedback can be a great management tool. Given effectively, it can enthuse, encourage and motivate the receiver to achieve even more. Get it wrong and you can have the opposite effect. Sometimes this can be terminal for your working relationship.
Feedback can be positive or negative. But how do you give feedback that motivates?
1) Tailored approach
Make sure that you give feedback in the way the person receiving it would like to be given feedback. Some people prefer it short and sharp, others flowery. Some prefer it in person whilst others like an email. It is about the person receiving feedback and not the preferences of the person giving it.
2) Real time feedback
When an event is fresh in someone’s mind, and the opportunity to interpret it differently is less, this presents the ideal time to give feedback. Putting negative feedback off will just get worse over time and giving positive feedback at the point when someone achieves something will inspire them more.
3) Think about growth
Most millennials want more feedback; it is the fuel for their growth. But irrespective of the age of the person receiving feedback, it should always be about progression. Think about how the feedback you give can be applied to their career and job role.
4) Feedback to self
Give the person receiving the feedback an opportunity to give their opinion. In effect, self-analyse and feedback to themselves. If their view is in line with yours then give them credit for being insightful. If it is out of step with the feedback you want to give, take time to explain why.
5) Head over heart
Facts are important when giving feedback over your personal feelings. Facts do not have to be quantitative, they can be qualitative too. Knowing the impact you have had on a situation or a company can motivate.
6) Future not past
The focus of any feedback should be on what can be improved. Wallowing on any mistake will only instil fear of doing something wrong in the future. The feedback should be very much in the manner that there will be an improvement and then success will follow.
7) Self-motivation
Get the person receiving the feedback to think positively about their own skills and strengths. When the mind is focused, they will be unshackled and feel free to be creative in how they approach issues.
8) It is a conversation
Allow the recipient to respond to the feedback and make sure that they understand you were listening.
9) End positively
Ironically it is often when giving positive feedback that people end on a negative note. Whatever the feedback, end on a positive note.