If feedback is so good for us, why is it so hard to give?
Feedback is an essential part of any team
It helps to identify areas for improvement and allows team members to grow and develop their skills. Team members need feedback to be aware of their strengths or weaknesses, which can limit their growth potential.
Here’s a few things regular and constructive feedback can do for your team:
Build trust
Giving and receiving feedback can help to build trust within a team. When team members know they can give and receive honest feedback without fear of negative consequences, it fosters a sense of trust and respect.
Encourage growth
Feedback allows team members to learn and grow, which can be especially important in a fast-paced work environment. By providing constructive feedback, team members can identify areas for improvement and work towards becoming more skilled and effective in their roles.
Increase accountability
When team members know that they will receive feedback on their performance, they are more likely to be held accountable for their actions. This can help create a culture of accountability within the team, leading to better outcomes.
Overall, feedback is an important tool for any team. By providing regular and constructive feedback, team members can improve their performance, build trust, encourage growth, and increase accountability.But giving feedback can be challenging. It requires honesty and vulnerability, so it’s not surprising people are hesitant to give feedback, especially if they are worried about how the recipient will react
There are many reasons why people may be reluctant to give feedback. These include:
Fear of conflict:
People may be afraid of causing conflict or tension by giving feedback, especially if they are unsure how the recipient will react.
Lack of skill:
Some people may feel ill-equipped to give feedback effectively, leading them to avoid it altogether.
Lack of time:
In a busy work environment, people may feel they don’t have the time or resources to give feedback.
Power dynamics:
People may be hesitant to give feedback to someone who is more senior or has more power, out of fear of retribution or negative consequences.
Personal discomfort:
Some people may simply be uncomfortable giving feedback, whether it’s due to their insecurities or a lack of confidence in their communication skills.
At Epic, we are working on improving how and how much we give feedback to one another. We aim to create an environment where everyone gives and receives feedback as a natural way of working in the team.
Here’s what’s working for us so far:
Encouraging open communication:
Making sure everyone knows we value their input and encouraging them to share their thoughts and ideas openly. This creates a culture of trust and transparency, making it easier for team members to provide feedback to one another. Being patient enough to let it happen: Open communication takes trust, and trust takes time. You can’t demand or even expect open communication. Working on trust and providing the right environment for the team to feel safe enough to express themselves openly and honestly. This takes time.
Setting clear expectations:
Establishing clear goals and expectations helps team members understand what is expected of them and provides focused and relevant feedback. This also helps reduce misunderstandings and improve the overall effectiveness of feedback.
Using specific, actionable language:
When providing feedback, I try to be specific and use concrete examples to illustrate my points. This can help make your feedback more actionable and effortless for team members to understand and implement. I avoid using vague or general language, as this can make it difficult for team members to understand what you are trying to convey. I also always try to give an example of what I’m looking for in my feedback.
Great post! I found your insights on the challenges of giving feedback really helpful and I agree with your approach of encouraging open communication and using specific, actionable language. I also appreciated your emphasis on the importance of patience and creating a safe and supportive environment for giving and receiving feedback. This is definitely something I want to implement in my own team. Thanks for sharing!