Guidelines on Giving Feedback

• We can only give helpful feedback to a person if they know that we accept and appreciate them as a person.
• It is important that an atmosphere of trust and mutual appreciation be established when feedback is given. This can only exist if we give genuine positive as well as negative feedback.
• Personal feedback should only be given if someone wants to know how others see them and has asked for feedback. It should be offered, not forced upon a person.
• Be honest when giving feedback, people can tell when you are lying. Be sensitive in the way you do it and make use of the method of giving feedback.
• Feedback should deal with what someone does (their behaviour) and not insult them as a person.
• It is often best if we present negative feedback as our problem, a sharing of our personal feelings when something happens, e.g. “We...” and not “You...”
• Feedback should deal with things that can be changed. “If you made fewer points at a time and summarised, I would find it easier to listen.” NOT, “Your accent drives me mad” or “I do not like the shape of your ears.”

Click here to view a video about common mistakes that are made when giving feedback.

Click here to view a video on how to give constructive feedback.