A Compliment is most often given in a positive form and with the purpose to make us feel good/better.
Feedback on the other hand doesn’t have to be positive. The value of feedback is in the constructive ‘criticism’ of our actions. The focus of feedback is on our improvement.
Depending on our individual level of sensitivity, our response to hearing a feedback varies. Some people have a difficult time handling a criticism of themselves in any shape or form. Others are ‘thick skinned’ and don’t feel it when someone is being truly critical about them. They keep cool, hold their ground, considering the viewpoint of the other party as relevant and evaluating it in regards to it’s usefulness and possible application.
The power of constructive feedback
Good feedback should be given with an intention to help the person to improve their skills, actions or knowledge. Otherwise, if the good intention behind the feedback is missing, it becomes criticism and personal judgment, which may not be either helpful, nor relevant.
In order for us to grow and learn at an accelerated speed we need to know what we DON’T do well, as opposed to what we are really good at. To know what we don’t know well is the key to unlock the doors of opportunities which we could not even see otherwise. Without a feedback from others, our actions and good intentions may be totally wasted.
Imagine this…
Your friend invited you to join them at another friend’s Birthday party. Your friend mentioned that the celebrant likes handmade clothing, yet forgot to tell you a little detail. That the celebrant is strictly Vegan. Not being aware of that fact you bought them a birthday present. It took you considerable effort to find this special possum/sheep wool jumper and you were proud of yourself for such a great idea. The celebrant, although disgusted by the choice of your present, reluctantly accepts not wanting to offend you. Later on after the party, they threw your gift away from their strictly Vegan household.
Maybe this is an extreme example. However, it illustrates two important points
Ø Firstly, you didn’t have enough information in the beginning to act appropriately. As a consequence to that, you acted with your best intention in mind.
Ø The second important point is, that if you received the right feedback from the celebrant, you could still save the jumper, yet more importantly it would broaden your mind and open up an unknown window to new possibilities in the future.
Secrets To Good Feedback
To understand the term Constructive feedback it is best manifested with so called “Sandwich Feedback”.
Sandwich Feedback is a form of constructive and valuable feedback, where the person giving the feedback firstly highlights one positive aspect of the action, only then gives the less desired ‘negative’ feedback, again followed by second positive highlight of the offered presentation/action.
This wrapping of the bad news inside two pieces of good news is way more digestible even for the usually ‘feedback’ sensitive person. Everyone can swallow a little bit of bad news if it comes together with more good news.
This method is well known and used in the NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) circles and training, where a lot of attention is placed on personal improvement and development of desired strategies and behaviors.
Hana Rubinstejnova left behind a lucrative corporate job and career to pursue her desire to be an inspiration and help others to succeed. Her goal is to transform lives of people troubled by recurring health conditions; promoting Natural Health Practices and Remedies, encouraging Personal Development tools and techniques that cost no money and are easy to apply.
For valuable FREE GIFTS and well researched life changing information visit: onebodyonelife.wordpress.com
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