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- Master the art of giving and receiving feedback
Master the art of giving and receiving feedback
Giving and receiving feedback seems simple, but it can feel uncomfortable. The good news? It’s a skill that not only helps you grow but also strengthens your team and the entire organisation.
Giving feedback: How do you start?
With feedback, the goal is to help someone adjust their behavior and become more effective. It promotes growth and can improve collaboration between you and your colleague.
Imagine you're working in a shop, and there are some issues with how customers are being served. You know you need to say something, but how do you do it without hurting your colleague? After some thought, you finally decide to start the conversation. You begin with, ‘I’ve noticed a few things about how we interact with customers. Can we discuss this for a moment?’
To your surprise, the conversation goes smoothly and constructively. You’ve found the right balance between honesty and empathy. Instead of saying, ‘You always do this wrong,’ you say, ‘I’ve noticed that sometimes we’re not completely clear with customers. How can we improve that?’
How do you create a feedback culture?
Feedback as a daily habit
In an ideal work environment, feedback isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily habit. It becomes an ongoing, informal process where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts. Building this kind of culture takes time; it thrives on trust and open communication.
Schedule feedback sessions
One way to encourage this is by scheduling regular feedback sessions, rather than waiting for issues to arise. And don’t forget the positive feedback! We often focus on what needs improvement, but recognising what’s going well is just as important. A simple comment like, “I really appreciate how you helped that customer,” can do wonders for a colleague’s motivation and confidence.
Good example follows good practice
Managers play a key role here. When they lead by example—being open to feedback and handling comments constructively—they inspire the whole team to follow suit. Organising training sessions can further support this, helping employees learn not just how to give feedback effectively, but also how to listen and respond thoughtfully.