Giving_Feedback_Student_HandBook

Feedback

Giving feedback in English for
assignments, projects &
assessments

Why is feedback so important?

7 possible reasons

What is feedback?

✓ Your feedback is not always clear, which means that people may not act on

it.
✓ People may not understand what they need to change, or why.
15-34 ✓ When you give feedback, prepare for the session carefully, and comment

clearly on recent situations where a behavior or action has had a negative

impact. State your case assertively and outline the consequences of not

acting on the feedback.

✓ Sometimes people follow your feedback, but others may question it or follow

it inconsistently.
✓ Use a system to give structured feedback, and suggest that your team

35-55 member could use a Feedback Matrix to reflect on your comments.
✓ Give regular opportunities to discuss feedback, and check that it's been

understood.
✓ Don't forget to give praise as well.

✓ People listen to your feedback, and act on it.
✓ They value your comments because they know that you've taken time to

56-up think about them.
✓ Your team members act on your comments and grow personally and

professionally as a result.

Why do we hate giving feedback?

We don’t want to hurt
someone’s feelings.

We’re concerned that We forget to
the feedback might give positive
be taken the wrong
feedback.
way.
We don’t know
We’re not sure how to
what the effects
of our feedback approach it.

will be.

Let’s try
some
phrase
building

1. I was quite impressed with your presentation at our monthly sales
meeting. It was very concise, and you used the slides to pass your
message effectively. Everyone in the room really appreciated that.

2. It was amazing how you were able to get a yes from the customer within
20 minutes. That account will bring in a substantial chunk of revenue for us
this quarter.

3. I am very pleased with how you are supporting the junior staff members. I
know how much time you spent helping them learn the operating system;
they’re catching on very quickly thanks to you. Please keep doing what
you’re doing.

4. I appreciate that you were an active participant in this afternoon’s
meeting. You had some great insights about the project that I think will
help us to avoid any further delays. Thank you.

5. I wanted to let you know that your observation on the market trends was
extremely valuable for the organization.

Word Choices for
Feedback

Do you struggle to find
the perfect word about

how you feel when
giving your feedback?

What are 5 five core words you should always
consider including when giving feedback?

You – According to experts, “you” is the most
powerful word in the English language.

Names – No, not the word “names”, but the name of the
person you are talking to.

Because – Because is a great word because it always
precedes a proof point.

Thanks – It’s the classic. But you’d be surprised how few
people actually use the word thanks, or thank you.

Results – Using the word results (result, resulting, or something like it) shows
that the action the other person undertook had a measurable impact,
and that you recognize their hard work in pursuit of that outcome.

Overcome, succeed, excel, achieve, grasp, generate,
develop, design, productive, accomplish, volunteer, produce,
discipline, create, resolve, execution, triumph, victory,
complete, masterpiece, conquest, initiative, outcome

Help, support, benefit, advocate, save, encourage, revive,
dependable, reliable, prepared, cooperation, advice,
fortify, sponsor

Organize, improve, excellence, exceptional, striking, aware,
brilliant, elegant, eloquent, intuitive, strong, outstanding, merit,
talent, distinction

Thoughtful, responsible, creative, energetic, enthusiastic,
resourceful, motivated, dedicated, innovative, reliable,
vibrant, wise, flexible, versatile, consistent, considerate,
commitment, confidence, imagination, passion, tenacity

Capable, oversight, vision, navigate, command, conduct,
cutting-edge, star, champion, vanguard, role-model,
respect, direction, insight, inspiring, admired, courageous,
engaging, enterprising, invincible, masterful

Effective feedback is about the process, not the person.

Never criticize the person. Always criticize the actions.

What is a feedback sandwich?

How are you at giving constructive criticism?

Giving praise to someone, for example on a job well

done, is easy and direct: But what about giving

constructive criticism when someone’s performance is

unsatisfactory?

If the constructive criticism is too negative
or direct, you risk destroying a good
relationship.
Working internationally also means

considering cultural factors when delivering
constructive criticism.

Phrases for giving constructive criticism

Praise: This team works very well together.
Constructive criticism: I’ve noticed that the team has some problems communicating.

Praise: The performance of the database is excellent.
Constructive criticism: The database performance needs to be improved so that…
Praise: That sounds like a good idea.
Constructive criticism: I’m not sure that idea would work because…
Praise: I love this application.
Constructive criticism: I can see some difficulties with this application, it could be improved.
Praise: You are very well-trained in SAP.
Constructive criticism: How about getting some training in SAP?
Praise: The project was a great success.
Constructive criticism: What do you think is the reason we had problems with this project?

It’s also important to consider the cultural aspects of feedback



How can you make constructive feedback useful?

⚫ Build trust

➔ Establish a positive relationship that is open, sincere, and trusting.
Feedback is more readily accepted from someone we know, respect, trust,
and who has our best interests at heart.

⚫ Balance the positives and the negatives

➔ No one is all bad or all good.

⚫ Talk face-to-face

➔ Constructive criticism should, when possible, take place in person. A phone
call does not convey body language and may mask the nuances of the
conversation.

⚫ Don’t pre-judge

➔ Until you have had a chance to talk to the person involved, avoid
assigning meaning or intent to what has happened.

• Be specific
➔ Don’t overgeneralize or drift into other issues.

• Don’t become personal
➔ Do not confuse the person with their actions.

• Be consistent
➔ Regular interaction can help avoid lengthy, negative, and
unexpected feedback.

• Keep feedback fresh
➔ Avoid a long gap between the incident (or behavior) and
providing feedback. The discussion should be current so that no
one is trying to remember who or what was involved.