Feedback is indispensable for the growth of people and organisations. In this blog you can read what good feedback involves and how it contributes to success. We discuss four types of feedback, and we explain how a training session within QGROUP taught us to give and receive valuable feedback.
What is feedback?
Feedback is information you give to assess and improve someone's performance, behaviour or results. It helps people learn, develop and grow. There are different forms:
- Evaluative feedback: you give an opinion on someone else's work. It names strengths and areas for improvement, and shows where someone can grow.
- Corrective feedback: this form concerns the content of a task that has been carried out. It creates awareness of what could be better and offers suggestions for improving it.
- Feed forward: this form looks ahead, with tips, advice and ideas for future actions. It reveals opportunities, stimulates growth and encourages people to act proactively.
- Motivational feedback: this form increases someone's motivation, engagement and positive energy by naming strengths, successes and contributions. That strengthens self-confidence and enthusiasm.
Feedback training within QGROUP
All our employees have a 360-degree feedback conversation every year. To prepare them for it, our HR team developed a training session for all labels within QGROUP. It brings together the four types of feedback, with different ways of giving feedback. During the training we did three interactive exercises: the feedback carousel, ranking the stars and the appreciation wall.
The feedback carousel
All colleagues took part in this exercise, in five rounds. To get as many different conversations as possible, the participants stood facing each other in two rows, so that everyone had a different colleague opposite them each time.
- Icebreaker: in the first round, colleagues looked at each other in silence for one minute. This broke the ice and taught us to see the difference between observing and interpreting.
- Questions in one direction: in the second round, colleagues spent three minutes asking work-related or personal questions to the person opposite them. The person being asked could not ask anything back, but then got the same chance with another colleague.
- Discovering yourself through others: in the third round, colleagues spent three minutes asking the other person questions about themselves. A frequently asked question: what was your first impression of me?
- Compliments: in the fourth round, colleagues took turns giving each other compliments for three minutes. The aim was to learn to give specific compliments and to receive them openly.
- Critical feedback: in the final round, colleagues spent two minutes giving each other clear and direct critical feedback, in a friendly and caring way.
Ranking the stars
In addition, the HR team organised the Ranking the stars exercise. All participants received an A4 sheet listing skills that are important for their role, such as communication, flexibility and commitment.
Everyone rated their colleagues on those skills, on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 5 (expert). After the averages had been calculated, everyone explained their ratings. In this way we help all colleagues to grow.
The appreciation wall
On the appreciation wall, colleagues could compliment each other in a positive way. They wrote on a Post-it what they appreciate in someone else and stuck it next to that person's name on a whiteboard.
The whiteboard was soon full of colourful Post-its with appreciation and positive messages. That created an inspiring atmosphere: reading the compliments gave colleagues a good dose of self-confidence and strengthened the sense of connection and recognition in the team.
Why give feedback?
Feedback is invaluable for your professional growth. It works like a compass: it clarifies expectations and shows where your strengths lie. It also creates a positive working environment in which colleagues feel appreciated and are motivated to give their best.
With constructive feedback as a guide, employees sharpen their skills, overcome obstacles and achieve success. It is a powerful tool that helps not only individuals, but also teams and organisations to grow.
Questions or comments? Get in touch with us. Looking for temporary or permanent reinforcement for your team? View our labels.