Giving effective feedback is an essential skill for every woman at work, home and in your social life. It is even more important as a woman living in an international and culturally diverse group.
Catherine Guillou took us through practical examples for giving good feeback and receiving feedback that we could use.
What does feedback means to you?
- constructive
- feedback is a gift
- improvement
- insight
- performance related
- a possibility to improve
- learning and growth
- a new perspective
- advice on a tricky situation
- sometimes it is annoying!
- praise
- should be helpful
What was your experience of feedback as a child?
We discussed how feedback a child can change your way of receiving feedback and what you hear from feeback when you receive it.
The group shared their experiences and reflections on their childhood. Some interesting ideas and themes emerged including our parents and teachers comparing us to others rather than giving constructive feedback or explaining what you can do better next time.
why can’t you be like your sister? the trouble with you is….
Parents were not taught how to give feedback to children and many of us experiences discipline as minor physical discipline.
We talked about being put in a box by others in our childhood and therefore feedback was framed in this box rather than allowing us to change. A good reminder for those of us with children!
Different Cultures have Different Rules
We talked about some languages don’t have a word for feedback so they have to use the English. Some languages only use it to mean advice or criticism.
The group talked about multi cultural workplaces and how it is essential to explain why you are giving feeback so they understand what you are trying to achieve.
Resources to try
Kim Scott: Radical Candour
hbr.org/2013/03/the-ideal-praise-to-criticism
www.listenleon.com/
Final Thoughts
- listen to your ‘gift’
- ask for clarification if you don’t understand it
- thank the person for the feedback
Thank you Catherine for the session!
Catherine has been a member of the iwibdus board for 3 years. She is a coach and Learning and development specialist. She also specializes in Diversity and Inclusion.
Read more about Catherine here at her website catherinerobertsguillou.com
