What are the principles of effective feedback?

Whether you are giving formal or informal feedback, there are a number of basic principles to keep in mind.

1.Give feedback only when asked to do so or when your offer is accepted.

2.Give feedback as soon after the event as possible.

3.Focus on the positive.

4.Feedback needs to be given privately wherever possible, especially more negative feedback.

5.Feedback needs to be part of the overall communication process and ‘developmental dialogue’. Use skills such as rapport or mirroring, developing respect and trust with the learner.

6.Stay in the ‘here and now’, don’t bring up old concerns or previous mistakes, unless this is to highlight a pattern of behaviors.

7.Focus on behaviors that can be changed, not personality traits.

8.Talk about and describe specific behaviors, giving examples where possible and do not evaluate or assume motives.

9.Use ‘I’ and give your experience of the behavior  (‘When you said…, I thought that you were…’).

10When giving negative feedback, suggest alternative behaviors.