Giving and receiving feedback isn’t easy, but it is possible with the right skills and intention.
“Mastering the art of giving feedback with skill and intention is at the center of empowering others.” - Terrie
Have you ever tried to give someone feedback and it didn’t go as well as you had hoped, but you can’t put your finger on why? Who teaches us how to have courageous conversations.... your family, friends, school? I have always tried to provide feedback in a healthy way, but I lacked training in this area. I didn’t receive instructions from my family, friends, or school until I enrolled in the Master of Science in Organizational Development (MSOD) program at Queens University. There were two classes that were game-changers. One class focused on managing conflict and negotiation and the other was interpersonal and group dynamics. These two classes gave me a roadmap and provided framework around how to have courageous conversations.
For the purpose of this blog post, I will focus on the importance of giving and receiving feedback. Conversations are a two-way street, and both the giver and the receiver of information have important jobs to do. I just facilitated a training session on How to Have Courageous Conversations in Baltimore for a company that hosted a three-day retreat for their employees.
The session was packed with powerful information that I wanted to share forward. But, in an effort not to bombard you with an avalanche of words I put together a short slide deck that will give you a pictorial overview of how you can prepare for and provide feedback in a more intentional manner. I hope this information is helpful next time you have a courageous conversation that requires you to give feedback. Whether you are providing feedback to a co-worker, friend, or family member this information can apply.
Remember, feedback is a gift, and mastering the art of giving it with skill and intention is at the center of empowering others.
Self-Reflection Question
People want to feel safe, seen, heard, valued, and inspired, so what can you do to help ensure this happens when you are providing feedback?
Check out the slide deck below and learn how. After all, the quality of your relations depends on your ability to have courageous conversations.
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