<ul>
<li>Strong emotions on both sides;</li>
<li>A focus on character rather than on behavior;</li>
<li>A lack of clarity about what needs to change and why;</li>
<li>Negative or critical feedback threatens not only our self-esteem but also our basic need for safety and security;</li>
</ul>

Constructive Criticism: Why Feedback Goes Wrong

Wrong reasons:<ul><li>defend/excuse your own behavior;</li><li>to demoralize/condemn;</li><li>you're in a bad mood;</li><li>to appease a third party;</li></ul>to make yourself seem superior/powerfulRight reasons:<ul><li>commitment/concern for another;</li><li>sense of responsibility;</li><li>to guide/mentor;</li><li>to support/enhance.</li></ul>

Right vs. Wrong reasons to give feedback

"Information becomes feedback if, and only if, I am trying to cause something and the information tells me whether I am on track or need to change course."

A simple template for giving effective feedback that ensures you’re hitting all the right points, that goes like this:<ol><li>Ask to give feedback.</li><li>Tell them "You did X. It caused Y."</li><li>If you’re giving positive feedback, say "Good job."</li><li>If you’re giving negative feedback, tell them how they should adjust their actions in the future.</li></ol>

Manager Tool’s Feedback Model

"Never criticize the person. Always criticize the actions. And when you’re making suggestions, make suggestions about actions, not about the person."

"Effective feedback requires that a person has a goal, takes action to achieve the goal, and receives goal-related information about his or her actions."

<ul><li>Specific, Timely, Meaningful, and Candid;</li><li>Goal-oriented;</li><li>Focused on the future;</li><li>Focused on the process, not the person;</li><li>Isn't afraid to be negative;</li><li>Can be positive;</li><li>Doesn't assume it's right.</li></ul>

Effective Feedback is...

Getting comfortable with offering and receiving constructive criticism is fundamental to our professional development.

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Leadership & Management

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Career

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Communication

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Personal Development

How To Give And Receive Constructive Criticism

Despite being the number one driver of our personal and professional development, constructive criticism can be incredibly hard to give.

"Giving feedback turns out to be the unnatural atomic building block atop which the unnatural skill set of management gets built," wrote Andreessen Horowitz co-founder and venture capitalist Ben Horowitz. Despite being the number one driver of our personal and professional development, effective and actionable feedback can be incredibly hard...