Receiving and providing feedback has become an essential element in ensuring that teams maintain a high level of performance.
September 12, 2024 — 8 minutes reading time
How to provide constructive feedback to boost professional growth
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Feedback is a key tool in any work environment, as it allows professionals to identify areas for improvement, reinforce their strengths and advance their personal and professional development. In a constantly evolving world, receiving and providing feedback has become an essential element to ensure that teams maintain a high level of performance and adapt their skills to the changing needs of the market .
Not all feedback is equally effective. While constructive feedback seeks to armenia mobile numbers list improve performance by identifying specific aspects that can be worked on, destructive feedback, on the other hand, tends to be vague or overly critical, which can have a negative impact on the motivation and well-being of the recipient. That's why I believe it's essential to learn to differentiate between both types of feedback and focus on offering comments that truly encourage the growth of others.
Characteristics of constructive feedback
Constructive feedback is distinguished by a series of characteristics that make it effective and useful for the recipient. Its key elements include:
Specificity : For feedback to be truly useful, it needs to be clear and precise. Instead of general comments like “you did a good job” or “you need to improve,” it’s important to point out what specific aspects were good or what areas need attention. Specificity helps the recipient understand exactly what behavior they need to maintain or modify.
Action-oriented: The main goal of constructive feedback is to bring about positive change. Therefore, it should be focused on concrete actions that the recipient can implement. A good example would be: "The approach you used in the presentation was solid, but you could improve by including more practical examples to support your argument."
Balance between what is positive and what can be improved: Balanced feedback is one that not only highlights areas for improvement, but also recognizes and celebrates the recipient's achievements. This balance helps maintain employee motivation, allowing them to see that their efforts are valued while providing clear guidance on how to continue improving.
Empathy : Providing feedback should not only focus on the facts, but also on how it is communicated. Empathy is key to ensuring that the recipient feels supported rather than attacked. The tone and words chosen can make the difference between feedback that creates growth and one that creates rejection.
Clarity : In addition to being specific, feedback should be easy to understand. Avoiding the use of ambiguous or confusing terms, as well as making sure the main message is clear, ensures that the recipient can process it and act on it.
Constructive feedback that meets these characteristics not only corrects behaviors or attitudes, but also motivates the recipient to continue improving and advancing in their professional development.
Methods for providing constructive feedback
There are several effective approaches to providing constructive feedback in the workplace. Below I describe some of the most commonly used ones:
1. Sandwich model
The sandwich model, or technique, is a classic feedback technique that combines positive comments and areas for improvement. It works like this:
First layer: Start with a positive comment or acknowledgement of something the person did well. This helps prepare the recipient, create a positive atmosphere, and reduce possible defenses.
Middle layer: At the heart of the message, areas that need improvement or points that require correction are introduced. Here it is key to be specific and action-oriented, providing clear suggestions on how to improve.
Final layer: Closing with another positive comment or encouraging words that reinforce the recipient's confidence. This ensures that the feedback is perceived as balanced and constructive, rather than as a one-sided criticism.