Creating space for growth with feedback — the number one tool for high-performance teams (2/2)
In our first article of this feedback series, we explained why feedback is important and our top 10 rules to give constructive feedback. This one is all about getting started: We have listed a five-step process for you which can guide you through the first steps of pushing feedback culture among your colleagues and within your organization.
How to actually get started
1. Make feedback a priority: Explain why you want to put a focus on creating a feedback culture and encourage your team by being a good example and by creating a safe space.
2. Encourage a mindset of “benevolent attention”: Guide your team towards an attitude of always assuming the best intention. Remind them to always consider the complex human being behind the behavior having in mind that everyone always intends to do the best they possibly can with the abilities, skills and resources available at this point in time.
3. Practice giving feedback: Initiate simple formats to learn how to give and receive feedback using simple, guiding questions like “What I appreciate most about you is …” and “My challenge for you going forward is …” (for instructions see here). For more constructive feedback, instead of the Feedback Sandwich approach, maybe try this structure:
· observation (which behavior have you observed?)
· consequence (what has happened due to it?)
· wish (what do you expect / wish for?)
4. Reflect together with your team: Reflect on how giving (and receiving) feedback feels and what hinders / encourages individuals to give feedback.
5. Create feedback rituals: Make feedback a habit by establishing regular formats (i.e. retrospectives after every project completion) or regular offsites where you practice giving feedback (e.g. with the stinky fish method).
In the end all that remains to say is: Just try it! From our experience we can only encourage you to take feedback seriously as it does not only strengthen relationships but also motivate and push the team to achieve great results together.
