Since I became self-employed and started living from the services I am selling, I appreciate more every feedback or recommendation I receive. With this article, I would like to encourage you to give feedback as much as possible, especially about things or persons that are important for you. And also to pay attention when someone is giving you feedback!
We all know what is feedback and why giving and receiving feedback is important. In the agile processes, feedback is key to get customers inputs and to improve products.
I like receiving feedback about my services because I put a lot of energy in preparing them and in making sure my customers will have the best experience – so I really want to know what I have to do better for the next times. Sometimes, I am having a hard time receiving feedback; when that happens I take some time to digest the feedback, I thank the person who is giving feedback and I take it into consideration.
I like also to give feedback about the products and services I use. When I buy something, I try as much as possible to make the right decision (for our planet, for my limited time and for my wallet, of course). If I have a bad experience, I do not want to be fooled twice. If I am happy, I want others to enjoy the same feeling. In all cases, I give feedback – which also means I only select providers that will actually listen and receive my feedback. Why should I care about someone who does not care about my opinion?
I like giving feedback to the people I love because life is short and it’s better to spend as many good times together as we can. I am working hard to give constructive and positive feedback. Like everyone, sometimes I fail and I learn from it. also, I know I can be overly emotional while giving feedback, so I usually wait for a day before doing it; this time helps me in putting the situation in perspective and sometimes I change a bit my feedback.
I just came back from a Positive Discipline meeting and I would like to share with you how facilitators are providing feedback between themselves. Every time I got their feedback in the following way (see below), it feels great to read.
The feedback is divided into 3 parts:
1. Identify what we are assessing
Clearly, state what the feedback is about. In the Positive Discipline context, the feedback is about facilitating an activity. In other contexts, it could be documentation, a meeting, a conference, etc.
It looks obvious but it is easy to forget what we are giving feedback about, it is important to make it clear, if we do not, feedback can be misguided.
2. Self-evaluation
The assessed person is going to identify what, in his/her opinion, went well and what needs improvement in his/her practice.
What I like about this part is that it make you think about how you are performing, you become aware of your own practice and how you feel about it. It is important to know what you like and what you do not in your practice.
3. Feedback from the group
The group is sharing with the feedback receiver what they consider went well and what needs improvement in the practice.
What I like about this part is that you are not getting individual feedback which may depend on several factors. You are getting different points of views which is often richer and more constructive.
This may look very simple and evident but I have been receiving and giving feedback for years and I have never got or given one as complete as these ones.
What do you think about this technique?
I am looking forward to hearing from you about your favourite feedback techniques!
Agile For Life 