Effective feedback is an intentional exchange designed to motivate, engage and encourage. It is intended to increase awareness, clarity, and forward movement. It strengthens trust (the foundation of effective feedback) and carries the clear message that you genuinely care about the person and want them to thrive.

No, you do not have to reread the title. Yes, I am talking about feedback here.

It’s a topic that’s typically ridden with anxiety, “Did I do something wrong?” ruminations, and/or shirt-soaked sweats. And for good reason, historically, feedback has been done so wrong that I think everyone on the planet has scars from it. However, reframing your understanding and perspective of it can make the exchange an entirely new experience for you.

If you really want feedback to be powerful, there’s a lot that goes into it – a lot more than you probably want to read about in an article. So, I’m going to sum it up in a few short paragraphs to help you get started shifting your perspective in a more positive direction.

One of the first things to understand is that effective feedback occurs as a two-way, multifaceted conversation (it’s not a sit-and-get) that requires awareness and skills for both the giver and receiver. It also requires a solid foundation of trust. If I don’t feel like you have my best interest in mind or worse yet you have ulterior motives, feedback is ineffective.

Although feedback may seem complex, it becomes way more manageable when you start with YOU.

Other key factors in feedback include:

• Self-Awareness – because the more you understand you the better you understand others.
• Clear Intention – Why are you giving it? What are you hoping to accomplish? Getting clear on these (and other relevant questions) can refocus the conversation if it starts going off the rails.
• Personal Responsibility – Taking responsibility for what is yours, finding personal power in every situation, and recognizing you have a choice in your perception and response.
• Discernment – All information travels through your filter and you get to determine what is right for you and what isn’t.

Indicators of good feedback are a guide to help ensure feedback is well received/given and productive*:

• Did it inspire them to improve/grow (create momentum)?
• Did it inspire them to a next step or skill that can move them and/or the challenge forward?
• Did it acknowledge what worked and what they did well?
• Did it make them feel as though the person giving it genuinely cared and wanted them to thrive?
• Was the intention of the feedback clear?
• Did they give/receive it from a place of Inner Truth (alignment)?
• Did it enable them to gain new awareness and insight?

At Thrive, we are experts in The New Age of Effective Feedback. We take a deeper dive into topics addressed in this article and train skills necessary to do feedback in the most effective and scientifically proven way possible – we’re on a mission!

* Can substitute “they/them” for “you.”