Better Feedback Hinges on Dialogue
If you think of feedback as a one-way conversation, that’s your first mistake. Feedback should always be a dialogue.
In other words, if you’re giving feedback to a co-worker or direct report, make sure you’re leaving space for them to respond. This doesn’t mean encouraging defensiveness, but rather taking the time to listen and engage in conversation rather than simply “saying it like it is.”
Massella Dukuly, Director of L&D at LifeLabs Learning, recently told NPR that when it comes to feedback, "people go into that fight-flight-freeze mode because they feel like they need to protect themselves.”
A fighting, flying, freezing employee is not at their best. How feedback is delivered matters – it should be bi-directional. Your timing also matters, so try to create space for constructive feedback at the right time.
In any professional role, receiving feedback is how one learns and grows. Whether someone is early, mid or late-stage career, feedback is a useful tool for improving performance.
