6. The Feedback Process: Overview

In this lesson, you will have the chance to explore feedback—an important element in improving performance in the workplace.

Feedback Overview

As a brief introduction, here are a few points about what feedback is and is not.

Feedback is:

• based on on-the-spot observations
• a way to inform and teach
• a tool to improve workplace performance
• something that employees should be willing and open to receive

Feedback is not:

• an evaluation
• a judgment
• something personal—it is about job performance

In the following video, you will be introduced to the feedback scenario we will discuss in the next lesson and we will explore the importance of effective feedback in the workplace.

(To read along click here.)

The Value of Feedback

Giving feedback is not the same as providing an evaluation. Feedback informs and teaches. It relies on on-the-spot observations, and can help employees improve in ways that aren’t possible with just an evaluation or written report. Feedback is a critical part of an individual’s learning and development journey and allows goals to be reached.

In general, employees want to receive feedback. They tend to value corrective feedback over praise, although both are important. Without effective feedback, mistakes go uncorrected and good performance is unrecognized.

Managers sometimes fear that feedback will have more negative effects than positive, and can damage relationships. But when it is direct and skilfully done—observational rather than judgemental—and when an employee is open to hearing and accepting it, it strengthens team relationships and improves performance.

In the next lesson, you will see a feedback session between Amisi, an internationally educated nurse, and Joan, a nurse manager.