The meaning of feedback: feedback

Feedback can be a catalyst for personal and career development, but it can also drive you into a cave of fears. It all depends on how accurately it's delivered and how well it's received.

Critical assessments do not always evoke positive emotions and can lead to disappointment in one’s own abilities.

To be successful, it's important to learn how to receive feedback correctly, as it's well known that analyzing and correcting mistakes is beneficial.

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Feedback in work communication

Many companies regularly (for example, every six months) organize so-called "feedback sessions." Colleagues share their opinions (online or offline) about each other's habits or actions.

And, as practice shows, the results of providing feedback ultimately stimulate the strengthening of team spirit, instill in team members a desire for development and, accordingly, contribute to the improvement of work.

A simple example.

Let's say one of the employees who is often late doesn't even realize that his appearance in the office (or in the general chat) when everyone is already immersed in the work process and his actions reduce the productivity of the entire team.

Colleagues are simply distracted by the latecomer's explanations for their latest delay. Having received honest feedback, even if they are late again, they'll likely behave more calmly.

It is important to learn how to accept constructive comments correctly.

This can be difficult at times. The fact is, our brain reacts strongly to negativity, even if it's preceded by approval or praise. Psychologists believe this is driven by instinct. Cavemen had to be prepared for a predator to attack at any moment. For this reason, we subconsciously perceive criticism with bias.

But someone who provides accurate feedback, doesn't attack or pose a threat, and there's no need to fear them. On the contrary, it's worth listening to the opinion of someone with whom you have a strong, ongoing relationship, who knows you well and values ​​you (as an employee, partner, friend, or acquaintance), and who has a generally positive attitude toward you.

Having learned new information about ourselves, a perspective from the outside, we can analyze our behavior and begin to work on ourselves in the direction that the situation requires.

Correct perception of feedback allows you to change for the better.

How to behave when receiving honest feedback?

Rational criticism is a true art, a symbiosis of tact and delicacy. Unfortunately, not everyone masters it: its state in the domestic public and business spheres leaves much to be desired. But we ourselves create this environment and its emotional backdrop, so it is within our power to change the situation for the better.

To do this, it's important to start with yourself: learn to receive feedback correctly and find the rationale behind comments.

Firstly, it is important to realize that feedback does not affect you as a person: it only concerns your actions.

If, after presenting your work, you hear that the project wasn't very successful (or even an outright failure), don't interpret this as "I'm a bad employee" (or person). No one says that.

The presence of comments only means that it is worth working on improving certain skills and perfecting them.

Secondly, no need to be offended.

Someone who gives you feedback correctly does not want to offend you or lower your self-esteem.

When communication is structured correctly, the goal of feedback is to help. So don't perceive such information as offensive words. Treat it as friendly advice.

It is important to distinguish between useful feedback and passive-aggressive attacks, which contradict the idea of ​​constructive criticism.

Thirdly, you shouldn't react harshly to feedback.

Denial and excuses are bad reactions. After receiving feedback, don't engage in arguments or explanations.

Listen, calmly analyze the comments, and then decide for yourself what benefit you can derive from them.

It's possible you've heard criticism from a destructor. In this case, you need to act according to the circumstances:

• remain silent and do not answer at all (ignoring is a powerful force!);
• answer, but extremely carefully and thoughtfully (take a pause, choose your words carefully);
• listen and, after thinking it over, work through the situation, change something in your life;
• The main thing is not to send an angry message to your opponent in the heat of the moment, and if you do decide to write a response, be sure to read it several times before sending it (tested: it works!).

FourthlyAlways thank those who give you feedback. It's not always easy to find the right words, and many find it extremely difficult to voice their opinion.

In any case, even if what you heard was unpleasant for you, it is worth thanking for the feedback.

How to give feedback correctly?

When you want to help a colleague or business partner improve their work, it's important to do so gracefully to avoid damaging the relationship or causing harm. How can this be achieved?

Get readyIf you spot a colleague's mistake, don't rush to immediately voice everything you don't like, especially in the heat of the moment. Consider the most appropriate words in this situation and carefully craft your wording. It's important to remember that the primary goal of feedback is to help, not to overwhelm with an irritated verbal tirade.

Praise.According to psychologists, feedback should always begin with praise. This helps the person more easily accept criticism (=negativity). Positively charged suggestions should outnumber criticism three (or better yet, five) times. There may be situations when it's impossible to highlight positive aspects—no problem. Don't reinvent the wheel: calmly and kindly explain what you think needs attention.

Be more specific.Avoid using expressions like "you really screwed up" or "that's no good." Specifics and a clear indication of the incorrect action are important. Point out the mistakes, but without resorting to personal attacks, as they say. By analyzing the comments, your fellow professional can improve their professional skills.

Always control your tone.The delivery of the statement, as well as its wording, should not be judgmental or dismissive. Otherwise, it won't be helpful feedback, but rather an outright attack. So, control, control, and more control. Both of your words and of your emotions.

Take an interestWas your feedback helpful? And to what extent? Ask openly and inquire whether the feedback helped them move forward, develop, or, on the contrary, diminished their motivation. It's important to understand when it's appropriate to express your point of view, wanting to help, and when it's better to simply remain silent.

In both work and communication, we often have to (or need to) provide feedback and act as a critic. It's important to be objective, reasoned, constructive, and tolerant. It's also worth remembering the wise formula: approve in public, criticize in private. Constructive feedback can accelerate personal and professional growth and enhance professional value.

We'll discuss the importance of feedback for freelance work in our next article.