TGIF: Thank God, it’s feedback
Part II: The Art of giving feedback ( and funny memes from the American sitcom, Friends ).
Welcome to part II of the feedback series.
We’ll talk about the subtle art of giving great feedback and why it’s important to reflect before you share.
In my previous article, I talked about being on the receiving end of feedback and shared some strategies that have served me well. I reflected on the pervasive nature of feedback, hinting at how one invariably experiences it whether you’re experimenting with a new recipe or presenting your design pitch at work.
While it may seem like giving feedback is the easier end of the bargain, you might be surprised when you find yourself in that position. As a designer, it is an influential skill to have as part of your arsenal and is very much a craft that needs to be honed over time. I, for one, always found it hard to be straightforward and I know others who struggle with diplomacy. As you can imagine, there is a fine balance.
I’ll share some tips that I have learned over the years. For starters, sarcastic comments are always a bad idea.
Why are you offering feedback?
Even before you decide to volunteer feedback, think about why you wish to do it. If you genuinely want to help, that’s the best reason to proactively offer your sage advice. But if you’re looking to vent, appease your own agenda, or bully someone because you dislike them, then that is not acceptable.
If you’re on giving end of feedback, delivering it with respect and good intentions is essential.
Focus on the subject, not the person.
Make it about the action, situation, or project rather than the person. This can make your feedback more valuable and make the listener feel comfortable and receptive to it. Here’s an example:
✂️ Not-so-good response:
“You didn’t give enough thought to the design direction. You have not addressed all aspects of the challenge.”💚 Good response:
“The design direction needs more thought. The solution feels like it doesn’t address all aspects of the challenge.”
A small change in language can have a significant impact.
The first response feels like a judgment on the person’s capabilities and can make them feel dejected for failing. The second response makes it feel like an opportunity for improvement and conveys that it’s not about the person but about this particular idea they’ve presented.
By being thoughtful with your response, you’re recognizing that the individual may be talented but just needs some advice in this instance. After all, everyone is always learning.
Even if your feedback is about a person’s behaviour, pay attention to how you phrase it.
Make it tangible. Ambiguity is never helpful.
Feedback is only ever useful when you can articulate it well. So before you share your thoughts, make sure to reflect on what you want to say and how well you can elucidate it.
Get to the point.
To make my feedback useful, I employ the following 3 steps ( Courtesy of a design colleague, and I still swear by them).
- State an observation
- Share a feeling you had
- Offer a new perspective or suggestion
Let’s expand on that example of a good response we saw earlier.
“The design direction needs more thought. The solution feels like it doesn’t address all aspects of the challenge. Imagining myself as a user, I expected the experience to help me achieve {goal X} faster. I think if you tried {approach Y), you might have more success.”
When you use this technique in real life, you will have to augment that example with more details, but I hope you get this gist.
Be candid
You may have heard about the newish book on Netflix’s culture titled, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention. Co-founder, Reed Hastings, talks about how being candid is one of the cornerstones of their continued success and how they attract unique talent.
While some of the stories in the book seemed like they may not work for everyone, I certainly appreciated the value of being forthright with feedback.
My favorite takeaway from their book is that the best feedback is one that is timely. Offering your thoughts when there is still a chance for the receiver to alter the situation is way more valuable than feedback that comes in the aftermath.
And when you volunteer it, be frank but thoughtful. The book calls it “Say what you really think, but with positive intent.
Celebrate the positives equally
Giving feedback doesn't always equate to advice on betterment. If you see a colleague doing a stellar job, share some well-earned compliments. Elucidate what you loved about their recent performance and if you learned something new, let them know!
If you see a colleague working hard on previous feedback and making strides toward improvement, show them that you notice their progress.
And if you are giving critical feedback, it’s always favourable to start with the positives. Tell them what you liked about their project or behaviour before delving into the difficult talk.
That’s all the feedback I have around feedback! If you do try any of these techniques, let me know what you think. And if you have tips of your own, share them in the comments. ✌🏼
Hi! I’m Smriti, a product designer doing her best work at the intersection of design, technology, and well-being. Writing is my favorite form of creativity, and I share interesting stories about design and everyday life. If you’ve ever liked what I write, I just want to say a big joyful thank you. 🙌
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