Feedback
Would giving positive feedback as a precursor to coaching create a defensive environment eventually? The lead in to many of these hypotheticals starts with praise followed by critique. Seems like the employee might not buy the praise after awhile if he/she knows it's only there to open the door for criticism.
You are so right. Demonstrating that transparency & the desire to help others is powerful.
Ryan
I believe you hot the nail on the head. It is in part a generational issue and a societal approach to being overly soft on everyone.
However, I also believe that people tend to listen or understand feedback more openly if they truly trust that you have their progress or best interest in mind. Many students really step up to respond to feedback if they "feel" the instructor genuinely cares about their performance. The second an administrator walks into the room and students feel that they are "transparent", the entire purpose of feedback either goes away or even back fires.
THe tips on giving and receiving feedback should be something up on everyones desk, but in everyones heart lies the real "feeling" at work ; or the cultivating a spirit of partnership. To many managers want to "coach" in a directive manner and then risk dissolving any chance to gain respect by further supporting them.
Yes, while it's important to tell people the positives, sometimes in our "everyone's awesome" culture, we don't provide the information needed to help improve. As a result, students & employees are shocked when they experience this for the first time. At my former workplace, we actually had some parents of younger employees (younger meaning out of college) call & question supervisors if their child had a negative performance review. Sad...
Ryan
I agree with you Ryan. I have found that many of my students have a really hard time with getting constructive criticism and I think this is because they never get it. People often shy away from this because they are afraid they are going to hurt someone’s feelings. I think positive criticism is an integral part of growing as a person and in learning how to do something. We can’t grow if we don’t’ have something to work on.
Stephanie
Good point Stephanie & I think we also need to make sure that we are reminding ourselves & our employees that constructive criticism is a good thing. I know we still want to emphasize something they have done well, but too often we view constructive criticism as a negative. When we give feedback that ultimately helps people improve, then this is a good thing.
Ryan
Hello Blair,
You bring up a valid point. I think it is always best to lead with something positive even when you are giving constructive criticism. If you just jump into the negative, the person is automatically going to go on the defense and start to feel like they are unappreciated and not doing a good job. If you start with something they are doing well this will make them realize that you do see the good they are doing. You are right, they may realize that you are going to also offer some positive criticism but they will also notice that you are recognizing the good they are doing too.
