The secret to giving great feedback | The Way We Work, a TED series
The Importance of Feedback in the Workplace
Understanding Feedback
- The speaker compares feedback to tools used by professionals, emphasizing its necessity in modern work environments.
- A Gallup survey reveals that only 26% of employees feel that feedback improves their work, indicating a widespread issue with how feedback is delivered.
- People typically fall into two categories when giving feedback: overly indirect or excessively direct, both leading to confusion or defensiveness.
The Brain's Response to Feedback
- The amygdala plays a crucial role in processing social threats; ineffective feedback can trigger defensiveness and disrupt communication.
- As the conversation deteriorates, both parties may become increasingly flustered, complicating the exchange further.
A Four-Part Formula for Effective Feedback
Components of Effective Feedback
- The first step is the "micro-yes," where great feedback givers start with a short question to prepare the recipient for feedback.
- Next is providing specific data points instead of vague blur words. For example, replacing "You aren't reliable" with "You said you'd get that email to me by 11."
Impact Statements and Questions
- An impact statement follows, explaining how the observed behavior affected you personally (e.g., being blocked on work).
- Finally, wrapping up with a question fosters joint problem-solving rather than mere compliance.
The Role of Continuous Learning in Feedback
Seeking Regular Feedback
- Great feedback givers not only deliver messages effectively but also actively seek out feedback themselves.