Home
>
Team Building
>
Team Member Feedback: A Priceless Communication Tool

Team Member Feedback: A Priceless Communication Tool

Feedback is such an important communication tool. Openness, honesty, candor, trust -- all of these are hallmarks of high performance teams and organizations. Good feedback skills are essential to any relationship.

Feedback is important because:

- It prevents small issues from festering into unmanageable problems.

- It builds trust in relationships.

- It promotes personal and professional growth.

- It acknowledges individual and team accomplishments.

- It clears up misunderstandings.

- It is a way to acknowledge and recognize team members' skills and contributions.

As a result, effective feedback makes life at work a great deal easier and more rewarding.

So how do you give someone effective feedback? First, ensure your intention is to be helpful and supportive, rather than to "slam." Check to make sure the person wants and is ready to accept feedback, if you haven't been asked to provide it. Before providing your feedback, ask the person for their assessment of the situation.

But, how do you say it? What words do you use that will ensure the message is delivered properly? Be specific. Describe the actual behavior you observed, not personality traits. Avoid generalities, vague statements, and inferences. Use "I" statements: I saw..., I heard..., I felt... Describe the impact of the behavior on you: "I felt...when you..." Be sincere with your comments. Don't say that something was good when you don't really believe it.

It's important to give a balanced mix of both positive feedback and feedback for improvement. Try to end with a positive comment. Be sure that the feedback recipient has understood your comments. Encourage a response.

Another important point. Consider timeliness. Don't "store up" feedback of either kind and dump it on a person. Feedback is much more effective if provided close to the time the behavior actually occurred.

There are two types of feedback -- Positive feedback and feedback for improvement.

Positive Feedback - Positive feedback is information about what someone did well. There's a very simple approach you can use when giving positive feedback.

- Describe what the person actually did or said, and

- Why this statement or action was effective.

Make sure your "What and Why" approach is based on specific, sincere information. For example: "Mary, when you presented the results of the team's customer satisfaction survey, your charts were very clear and easy to understand (what). They made it easy to identify which areas we need to work on to make our customers happier (why).."

Feedback for Improvement - Feedback for improvement is given about situations which did not go well, or which could have been better. In this case, it's important to tell the person specifically what could have been said or done differently, and why that would have been more effective.

The approach to giving feedback for improvement is:

- Describe what was said or done,

- Tell what would have been a better approach, and

- Why that would have been better

Make sure your "What, What and Why" approach is based on specific, sincere information. For example: "George, when you commented on Ted's report, I felt your remarks sounded sarcastic and not specific enough to be helpful (what). If you tell Ted exactly what additional information is necessary (what), he'll be able to incorporate the information you feel is needed when he revises the report (why).."

Receiving Feedback

There's also special skill required when receiving feedback. If you ask for feedback, be sure you are ready to receive it. Actively listen with your full attention. Ask for specific examples of what you did well and what could have been better. Ask questions to clarify, and paraphrase to check your understanding. Don't resist the feedback and avoid being defensive -- don't explain, rationalize or justify. Listen for the impact your behavior is having on the other person. Consider carefully whether, and how you want to change your behavior. Let others know immediately so they can support you. Ask for help and assistance, if appropriate. Most importantly, thank others when they provide you feedback. They have taken a risk to help you grow.

Remember: Feedback is a gift, a unique learning opportunity. Whether you agree or not, it has value because it represents a set of perceptions about you and your behavior.

Denise O'Berry (aka 'Team Doc') provides tools, tips and advice to help organizations build better teams. Find out more at http://www.teambuildingtips.com

green cleaning service Glencoe ..

In The News:

Archer Aviation acquires Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch LA air taxi network ahead of 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

Team Member Feedback: A Priceless Communication Tool

Team Building