The Power of Feedback: Providing Fuel for the Workplace

No one can deny that competent feedback requires hard work; it’s a learned skill that must be developed and continually honed. The results, however, are well worth the effort, since feedback is the single greatest tool for helping others achieve success.
The need for positive feedback is widespread. Psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Preas once noted, “In many years of practicing psychiatry, I’ve never had anybody come to my office suffering from stress and burnout where the root cause was overwork. In all cases, it was due to feeling alone and unappreciated.”
While the need for positive feedback may vary, everyone needs to feel appreciated. If you want to receive more feedback, start giving more. If you want people to appreciate you, ask yourself what you are doing to show the people around you that you appreciate them?

Accentuate the Positive
My son taught me more than one lesson about feedback. When he was seven, he was having problems with some of his grades. Although we put him on restrictions to encourage his focus, on report card day nothing had improved.
Taking the report card from my wife, I barked at him, “I thought you were going to work harder and improve this grade.” After a long moment, he looked up and said, “Didn’t anybody see my A’s?” His words crashed over me like ice water. I’d completely overlooked his accomplishments and zeroed in on the negatives. Chagrined, I thought to myself, And I teach this stuff!
So often we point out the bad before acknowledging the good. Even though 95 percent of what people do is right, we still focus on the negative. There are better ways to achieve long-term improvement. Focusing on the positives does make a difference.
When you coach someone, keep in mind that improvement takes time. Be careful not to point out everything wrong. Most of us can only deal with a few weaknesses at a time. Pick out the most important things and save the others for another day. Let people experience a few successes until they have built a pattern of repeated successes.

Be Specific
Feedback gains significant power when it’s specific. It’s much more meaningful and useful when you tell them exactly which work was good, and why. Compare “Good job!” with this:
“I read a letter you wrote today and want to let you know I really like the way you constructed that letter. You have the ability to take complex situations and really get down to the nitty-gritty. Your style is so concise that it’s truly a pleasure to read what you write.”
When he gets home from work, he may share the feedback, but more likely he’ll tell his wife he had a really good day. Positive feedback can literally make someone’s day. People hear it, share it, and remember it.
By refining our feedback skills, we can help others not only achieve personal growth, but also enjoy a sense of accomplishment and appreciation. That’s why feedback is one of the greatest tools for helping others achieve success.

“The Power of Feedback” adapted by Ken Futch from the book Take Your Best Shot: Turning Situations Into Opportunities,
by Ken Futch, Copyright© 2005, all rights reserved.