Giving feedback is an art and a science. Some distinctions between feedback, opinions, criticism, and passive aggressiveness. Under the guise of “feedback,” we might give any of them.
- Feedback: Behaviorally based information given for the betterment of another. It is an intention based on caring.
- Opinion: interpretation and subjective
- Criticism: Negative subjective judgment
- Passive aggressiveness: Something that you say is “feedback” pretending that it is well-intentioned but it isn’t. It is a sneaky slam on somebody.
The art of feedback begins with you, the giver of it. Your why what and how intention. It is an empathetic process and often a “crucial conversation”.
The science of feedback is that it is about what we say and do. It turns around a career, company, or marriage. Feedback leads to dialogs between the giver and the receiver of it, which can lead to mutual understanding, fulfillment, and success. We need feedback coaches to learn how what we say and do, sometimes unconsciously, leads to an impact which we may or may not want to create. Can you imagine a basketball player not looking at videos (feedback), or having a coach (feedback), or not wanting to learn at a hall of fame player’s camp (feedback)? We can improve, change, transform our thinking if we decide to use the feedback. It is up to us.
