The Importance of Holistic Feedback Skills Training

Many feedback skills training courses focus primarily on teaching people how to give feedback effectively, and there is no doubt that this is beneficial.  After all, poorly given feedback can lower motivation and morale, create conflict and misunderstanding, and have a detrimental effect on performance and the workplace.

However, the receiver's response to feedback is often more dependent on how they interpret what is said than on the skill of the giver.  If the receiver isn't willing or able to process the feedback, then skillful delivery can only go so far.

Having recently read "Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well" by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, I highly recommend it for the alternative and interesting perspective it offers on the conundrum of feedback.  These authors argue that the key player in any feedback transaction is actually not the feedback giver, but the receiver.  Therefore, the focus should be on training people to receive feedback effectively so that they can become more skillful learners.

Many people report that they don't receive enough feedback at work, yet ironically, they make no effort to elicit it, preferring instead to sit around and wait for it and/or complain about the lack of it!  Therefore, being able to proactively seek feedback, in ways that provide good quantity and quality of developmental information, is another critical skill for people to exercise in the workplace.  Seeking feedback can create a positive impression, build credibility and contribute to job success.  In fact, employees who proactively seek feedback are often considered as performing better than those who don't.

Consultrain provides holistic and comprehensive skills training in all aspects of feedback - giving, receiving and seeking - to assist people to develop the skills necessary to build strong feedback cultures and engage effectively in feedback conversations, both in and outside of the workplace.  For a course overview or further information, drop me a line or call 0412 683 759.