Lesson 4-6: Constructive Feedback

Please complete this lesson before class in the 3rd week of Module #4. The activities and content included within are critical to your successful participation in the Team Feedback Workshop scheduled for that class.

Now it's time to share the feedback you have for your team members with me.

Identify the team member by name, and then write what you are planning to say to them:

1. Tell them ONE behaviour of theirs that has been most helpful to you, or to the group. Describe this behaviour specifically in objective, observable details and then explain the positive impact the behaviour had on your and/or the team
2. Tell them ONE behaviour of theirs that you would like them to change/improve upon. Again, describe the behaviour specifically in objective, observable details and the explain the negative outcome/consequences/impact that this behaviour as had on you and/or the team. Remember for constructive feedback that is negative, you need to include your suggested alternative behaviours, methods, approaches, (again in concrete, observable ways) that this team member could try to improve or prevent the negative impact you've identified above.

Then identify the next team member and do the same until you have recorded your feedback for all members of your team.

As you prepare your answers, keep the principles of constructive feedback in mind.

• Describe the behaviour that you saw, not your assumption about its cause or your theoretical analysis of it. (e.g. your were nervous (this is an assumption) vs. you kept your eyes on your notes (this is a behaviour).

• Emphasize: the person's positive actions - highlight the strengths and explain why you experienced this as a strength. The recipient needs to know "why" it was a strength so they can replicate it.

• Describe how you experienced the behaviour/approach, not a generalized statement (e.g. it was boring vs. the content delivered didn't challenge or add to my knowledge about the topic). Remember you can only speak to your experience.

• Identify: when you are identifying a negative be specific and concrete, identify the effect. Also identify a suggestion/change that might have improved how you experienced that aspect

Also, be mindful of common feedback mistakes and what out for assumptions you are making about others, assumptions you are expecting them to make and keeping things judgment free.