GIVING & RECEIVING FEEDBACK

GIVING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK

Businesspeople need feedback to guide their careers and direct business results. Feedback is given for only two reasons–to maintain or change behaviors. Positive feedback is a milestone that lets employees know they are on the right track. Negative feedback helps them understand how to get back on the right track. To ensure tasks that are done effectively and in a timely manner are repeated, positive feedback must be given to those performing the tasks and appreciation must be expressed.

When people receive negative feedback, they usually become defensive. They will typically go through five stages before accepting the information: shock, anger, resistance, acceptance, and then hopefulness. To reduce a recipient’s defensiveness, the person giving negative feedback can be specific, focusing on actions, consequences of the actions, and alternative methods and behaviors for future performance.