How To Give Constructive Feedback

shutterstock_211207765Just as you owe it to people praise them, you owe it to them to provide critique. Face it. People will disappoint you. Regardless of your great example, careful delegation, and optimistic blind hope, people will disappoint.
The first rule is to not shoot the messenger when you learn about a problem. You shouldn’t punish the deliverer of bad news. He or she will clam up next time or sugarcoat information, and you’ll end up not hearing about a problem at a time when you could possibly do something about it.
Before you find fault, double-check yourself: Are you responding to cronyism or favoritism? Are you looking at all sides? Do you have as many of the facts as possible? Are you being fair?
The following steps will help you know when constructive criticism is necessary.
1. Don’t Attack
2. Give it in private – in general
3. Avoid being repetitious or nagging
4. Be specific and be brief
5. Explain the consequences of their action
The goal is to present the idea that constructive criticism and feedback is the “breakfast of champions.” In reality it is, but in the heat of the moment, it can look like a personal attack if it’s not handled well.

Picture of Debra Benton

Debra Benton

D.A. (Debra) Benton has been helping great individuals and organizations get even better for over 20 years. Just as exceptional athletes rely on excellent coaching to hone their skills, Debra's clients rely on her advice to advance their careers. She focuses on what is truly important to convert what you and your organization want to be from a vision into a reality. TopCEOCoaches.com ranks her in the World's Top 10 CEO Coaches noting she is the top female. And as conference keynote speaker she is routinely rated in the top 2%. Her client list reads like a “Who's Who” of executives in companies ranging from Microsoft, McDonald's, Kraft, American Express, Merrill Lynch, United Airlines, and PricewaterhouseCoopers to the Washington Beltway and U.S.Border Patrol. *She is the author of ten award-winning and best-selling business books including The Virtual Executive and CEO Material. She has written for the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Fast Company. She has been featured in USA Today, Fortune, The New York Times, and Time; she has appeared on Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and CBS with Diane Sawyer. To learn more Debra advising leaders, coaching, facilitating a workshop, or speaking: www.debrabenton.com

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

If you want to keep your mind razor sharp well into your 70s and beyond, say goodbye to these 7 habits

If you want to keep your mind razor sharp well into your 70s and beyond, say goodbye to these 7 habits

Global English Editing

8 things happy couples do differently, according to psychology

8 things happy couples do differently, according to psychology

The Blog Herald

8 habits of people in the happiest relationships that others overlook

8 habits of people in the happiest relationships that others overlook

Global English Editing

8 subtle social habits that suggest someone is high status

8 subtle social habits that suggest someone is high status

NewsReports

4 zodiac signs who always take jokes too far

4 zodiac signs who always take jokes too far

Parent From Heart

8 things a narcissist will do to make you feel small and insignificant, says a psychologist

8 things a narcissist will do to make you feel small and insignificant, says a psychologist

The Blog Herald