What do you do if you need to give feedback and constructive criticism in a virtual setting?
Giving feedback and constructive criticism is an integral part of professional growth, but it can be particularly challenging in a virtual setting where non-verbal cues are absent, and miscommunication is more likely. When you're faced with the task of providing virtual feedback, it's important to approach the situation with clarity, empathy, and a clear plan to foster a positive outcome. This article will guide you through the nuances of virtual communication to ensure that your feedback is both effective and well-received.
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Adriana Páez Pino18x 🏆Top Voice Mentoría🏆 |Inteligencia Artificial en el trabajo| Divulgadora de IA | Mentora Profesional y Coach |…
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Timing is everything when giving feedback virtually. You must select a moment when the recipient is likely to be receptive and not preoccupied with other tasks. This could mean scheduling a specific time for a video call or sending a message asking when they would be available to talk. The goal is to create a space where both parties can focus on the conversation without distractions, ensuring that your feedback is given the attention it deserves.
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Choose the Right Communication Platform: Select a suitable communication platform for delivering feedback, such as video conferencing, phone calls, or written communication via email or messaging apps. Consider the nature of the feedback and the preferences of the recipient. Schedule a Convenient Time: Arrange a mutually convenient time for the feedback session to ensure that both parties can fully engage and focus on the conversation without distractions. Respect the recipient's schedule and provide advance notice whenever possible. Provide Clear and Specific Feedback: Be clear and specific in your feedback, providing concrete examples and observations to support your points. Focus on behaviors or actions rather than personal traits.
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Timing is everything, especially in the virtual world of sales and marketing. Before delivering feedback, consider the recipient's schedule and mental state. Avoid catching them off guard in the middle of a busy day; instead, schedule a time when they can give you their full attention. Waiting for the right moment ensures your feedback will be received with openness and receptivity.
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Two keywords describe the objective virtual meeting is answer and responsive. When allow answer by instruction. Be responsive is knowing what to say and how to say it to the instructor virtual meeting lesson is teach.
Before diving into the feedback, establish a positive tone. Begin with a friendly greeting and express appreciation for the recipient's work or efforts. This sets a collaborative atmosphere and can reduce defensiveness. Clarify that your intention is to support their growth and improvement, not to criticize them personally. By framing the conversation with positivity, you encourage openness and a willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue.
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Our tone is what decides the atmosphere of the meeting. It is so important to be on a positive note to lighten the conversation. It is crucial to give both positive and negative feedback for the growth of the business. Giving negative feedback in a positive tone will encourage the employee to be open about the mistake and prevent the future.
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Establishing a positive and supportive tone is essential for effective feedback delivery. Start by expressing appreciation for the recipient's efforts and achievements. This sets a foundation of trust and respect, making them more receptive to your constructive criticism. Maintain a tone of encouragement throughout the conversation, emphasizing growth and development rather than fault-finding.
When delivering your feedback, specificity is key. Vague comments can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Clearly state what actions or behaviors you are addressing, and provide concrete examples to illustrate your points. This approach not only makes your feedback more understandable but also gives the recipient a clear idea of what to maintain or change. Specificity helps transform criticism into actionable advice.
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De acuerdo a mi experiencia, ser directo al dar retroalimentación en un entorno virtual puede resultar incómodo para algunas personas. Sin embargo, es necesario ser asertivo y saber comunicar el comentario de manera efectiva. Ser específico y proporcionar ejemplos concretos ayuda a que la crítica se perciba como consejo constructivo y no como una crítica negativa. Este enfoque no solo facilita la comprensión del mensaje, sino que también guía al destinatario sobre qué aspectos mantener o mejorar, transformando la crítica en una oportunidad de desarrollo profesional.
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Vague feedback is like shooting in the dark - it rarely hits the target. When providing constructive criticism in a virtual setting, be specific about what needs improvement. Identify concrete examples or behaviors that require adjustment, making it easier for the recipient to understand and act upon your feedback. Clarity is key to ensuring your message is received and implemented effectively.
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When providing feedback, it is important to focus on specific behaviors or actions rather than making judgments about an individual's character. This approach fosters constructive dialogue and prevents the recipient from feeling personally attacked. One effective way to structure feedback is by using the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) Model. This model involves describing the situation, the observed behavior, and its impact, which enhances objectivity and actionability. Additionally, it is helpful to provide concrete suggestions or actionable steps for improvement, along with necessary support or resources to facilitate progress and growth.
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Provide clear and specific examples to illustrate your feedback. Focus on observable behaviours rather than making subjective judgments. Objectivity lends credibility to your feedback and helps the recipient understand areas for improvement. Begin with acknowledging the individual's strengths and contributions before addressing areas for improvement. Balancing positive feedback with constructive criticism helps maintain morale and motivates the recipient to address areas needing development.
Active listening is crucial in a virtual setting. After presenting your feedback, give the other person a chance to respond and make sure to listen attentively to their perspective. This demonstrates respect and shows that you value their input. By engaging in active listening, you can clarify misunderstandings immediately and collaboratively work towards a solution or improvement plan.
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Feedback is a two-way street, requiring active listening as much as it does speaking. In virtual settings, it's easy for communication to become one-sided, but actively listening to the recipient's perspective is crucial. Give them ample opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings, and demonstrate empathy and understanding. Listening attentively not only strengthens the relationship but also fosters mutual respect and cooperation.
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This should be step 1 of every article on communication. :) Active listening is the best thing we can do to help others to become better communicators.
Offering support is an essential component of constructive criticism. After discussing areas for improvement, discuss potential strategies for development and offer your assistance. Whether it's providing resources, training, or simply being available for further discussion, showing that you're invested in their success can turn feedback into an empowering experience rather than a discouraging one.
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Constructive criticism should never be a solitary endeavor; it should be accompanied by support and guidance. In a virtual setting, it's important to offer resources or assistance to help the recipient improve. Whether it's additional training, mentorship, or access to tools and resources, demonstrating your commitment to their success reinforces the value of your feedback. Supportive gestures go a long way in fostering growth and development.
Finally, follow-up is critical to ensure that feedback leads to progress. Set a future date to revisit the points discussed and assess improvements. This not only shows that you are committed to the recipient's growth but also provides an opportunity for continued support and guidance. Regular follow-ups help maintain momentum and demonstrate that feedback is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
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Feedback doesn't end with the initial conversation; it requires ongoing follow-up and support. After delivering constructive criticism in a virtual setting, check in regularly to monitor progress and offer additional guidance as needed. This demonstrates your continued investment in the recipient's growth and development, reinforcing the importance of your feedback. Consistent follow-up ensures that feedback doesn't fall by the wayside but instead drives meaningful change and improvement.
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I would like to add empathetic feedback. This means approaching feedback with empathy, considering its potential emotional impact on the recipient. In my experience, offering empathetic feedback not only allowed us to perceive conflicts from various viewpoints and comprehend the underlying emotions and needs of all involved parties but also fostered robust, meaningful connections among them.
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- Encourage Dialogue: Invite the recipient to share their thoughts and feelings on the feedback. Focus on Improvement: Emphasize how the feedback can lead to growth and better outcomes. - Provide Resources: Offer tools or training options that could help the recipient improve.
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when you are not seating in front of someone physically, the chances of misunderstanding increase drastically. In addition to all the points mentioned above, there are some other crucial considerations one must follow. 1) Be empathetic - you don't know what the other person is going through. And they will not open up as they would in a private 1-to-1 conversation. so it becomes our moral responsibility to be kind and considerate while giving the feedback. 2) Show the bright side - every decision has a positive and negative side. Elaborate how this feedback will change their lives if they look at it from a different lens. 3) Be authentic - It shows when you are not true to your message. Say what you mean and Mean what you say.
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Feedback doesn't have to be negative/constructive. An overlooked practice is to give structured positive feedback. Once you and your team are used to receiving structured (positive) feedback, you should begin to sprinkle aspects of the "not as good" aspects. If you reserve "feedback" only for areas of improvement or less-than-perfect areas, we run the risk of stigmatizing feedback and creating an aversion to any reflective communication. Oh, one more thing! Lead by example. Ask your team members, especially those who report to you for feedback. This normalizes giving feedback and creates a culture of psychological safety and a growth mindset. Remember that as a leader you need to be able to set the example you want others to follow.
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