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How to give feedback

1. Research says

Robyn Johnson in Mandy Tunica, ed., Leading the Way, Macmillan, Melbourne, 1995, p. 151.

Research shows that effective feedback leads to increased employee performance. Feedback can help subordinates set and achieve goals. Adequate provision of feedback from a trusted superior also seems to be related to the level of communication satisfaction and workplace commitment felt by employees.

2. Don't forget

Aubrey Daniels in Bringing out the Best in People.

Four feedback tips…

  • The more immediate the feedback, the better. Choose the shortest practical interval - daily if possible - but no longer than a week.
  • Individual feedback is more effective than group feedback. If you can’t get data on each person’s performance, at least get data for the smallest possible group.
  • Acknowledge group performance publicly, for example on notice boards. This increases reinforcement amongst members of the group and encourages positive remarks from outsiders.
  • Resist the temptation to compare one performer with another.

3. Smile & ponder

During the writing of the musical 'Annie Get Your Gun', songwriter Irving Berlin met with the producers to discuss the show. Berlin said he’d come up with a song he thought might suit a particular spot and played it to them.

The producers told him it was great. In fact, they were ecstatic. …