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Workshop 9: Effective Feedback Techniques Workshop

Welcome to our Organisational Excellence Workshop Series. This series seeks to provide a launch pad for building professional skills and organisational success. Each workshop provides a jumping-off point for a different theme, exploring innovative strategies and practical exercises to enhance work and team dynamics. See more in the series here: https://blog.hptbydts.com/organisational-excellence-workshop-series
 
The objective of this workshop is to enhance participants' skills in giving and receiving performance feedback effectively and constructively.
 
Full-Day Workshop (8 hours)
 
Materials Needed:
    • Scenarios for role-play exercises.
    • Handouts on effective feedback techniques.
    • Templates or guides for action plans and feedback follow-up.
    • Feedback forms.
Facilitator's Note:
    • Create an environment of trust and openness, where participants feel comfortable practising feedback skills.
    • Be prepared to offer examples, tips, and corrective guidance throughout the exercises.
    • Encourage participants to share their experiences and insights, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

1. Feedback Fundamentals

An introductory session to understand the principles and importance of effective feedback.
 
Desired Outcome:
To lay a foundational understanding of what constitutes effective feedback and its impact on performance and development. This activity equips participants with insights to effectively frame their approach to giving and receiving feedback.
 
Steps:
    1. Present key concepts of effective feedback, including its characteristics (e.g., specific, constructive, timely).
    2. Discuss the psychological aspects of feedback, including common emotional responses.
    3. Engage in a Q&A session to address misconceptions or queries.
Potential Challenges:
Overcoming preconceived notions about feedback. To help overcome this, use real-life examples to illustrate how effective feedback works in practice.
 

2. Role-Play Feedback Scenarios

Role-playing various feedback scenarios to practice giving and receiving feedback.
 
Desired Outcome:
To develop practical skills in delivering and responding to feedback in a variety of situations. This activity allows participants to practice effective feedback principles in a supportive environment.
 
Steps:
    1. Provide scenarios that require giving and receiving feedback (e.g., performance review, addressing a specific issue).
    2. Participants take turns role-playing both the giver and receiver of feedback.
    3. Group discussion to critique and learn from each role-play, focusing on the application of effective feedback techniques.
Potential Challenges:
Discomfort with role-playing or fear of criticism. To help overcome this, encourage a positive, non-judgmental atmosphere and stress the learning aspect of the exercise.
 

3. Constructive Feedback Workshop

Developing skills to frame feedback in a constructive and positive manner.
 
Desired Outcome:
To enhance the ability to give feedback that is constructive, encouraging, and leads to positive changes. This activity emphasises the importance of constructive feedback for growth and a positive workplace environment.
 
Steps:
    1. Discuss the elements of constructive feedback.
    2. Participants practice formulating and delivering constructive feedback based on given scenarios.
    3. Feedback and discussion on the effectiveness of the delivery and content.
Potential Challenges:
Striking a balance between honesty and tactfulness. To help overcome this, provide guidance on using positive language and focusing on behaviours rather than personal traits.
 

4. Receiving Feedback Gracefully

Exercises focused on receiving feedback effectively, including listening actively and responding constructively.
 
Desired Outcome:
To improve skills in accepting and utilising feedback for personal and professional development. This activity highlights the importance of being receptive to feedback for continuous improvement.
 
Steps:
    1. Discuss the importance of active listening and openness when receiving feedback.
    2. Role-play exercises where participants practice receiving feedback.
    3. Reflect on the experiences and discuss strategies for effectively using feedback for growth.
Potential Challenges:
Defensiveness or resistance to criticism. To help overcome this, emphasise the value of feedback for personal growth and encourage a growth mindset.
 

5. Feedback Follow-Up Strategies

Developing strategies for follow-up after feedback sessions to ensure understanding and implementation.
 
Desired Outcome:
To ensure that feedback leads to actionable results and ongoing development. This activity stresses the importance of follow-up to ensure feedback is effectively understood and implemented.
 
Steps:
    1. Discuss best practices for follow-up after giving or receiving feedback.
    2. Participants develop a follow-up action plan for a hypothetical feedback scenario.
    3. Share plans and discuss the practicality and effectiveness of different approaches.
Potential Challenges:
Creating actionable and realistic follow-up plans. To help overcome this, guide participants to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
 

6. Feedback Culture in the Workplace

Discussing and planning ways to foster a culture of open and continuous feedback within organisations.
 
Desired Outcome:
To identify strategies to create and maintain a feedback-rich environment in the workplace. This activity cultivates a positive feedback culture to enhance communication and engagement.
 
Steps:
    1. Facilitate a group discussion on the characteristics of a strong feedback culture.
    2. Brainstorm ideas for cultivating such a culture in their respective organisations.
    3. Develop a plan to implement these ideas in the workplace.
Potential Challenges:
Resistance to cultural change within organisations. To help overcome this, discuss ways to overcome resistance and gradually introduce changes.
 

7. Workshop Debrief & Feedback Session

Gathering participant feedback and summarising key workshop learnings.
 
Desired Outcome:
To reinforce key concepts and gather insights for continuous improvement. This activity helps to ensure understanding of the workshop content and provides insights for enhancing future workshops.
 
Steps:
    1. Open discussion for participants to share their thoughts on the workshop.
    2. Summarise key concepts and learnings.
    3. Collect written feedback for future workshop enhancements.
Potential Challenges:
Limited participant engagement in providing feedback. To help overcome this, encourage honest and constructive feedback to improve future workshops.
 

Thank you for joining us in this edition of the 'Organisational Excellence Workshop Series'. We hope the insights and strategies from the Effective Feedback Techniques Workshop have inspired you and provided a valuable tool to kick-start and customise your own workshop. Remember, each workshop in this series is a step towards enhancing and enriching your organisational culture. Stay tuned for our next edition, where we will explore another vital aspect of professional development, continuing our journey of learning and growth. Until then, we encourage you to implement what you've learned and share your experiences with your peers.
Trevor O'Sullivan

Trevor O'Sullivan

General Manager. Since the early 2000s, Trevor has worked with thousands of Talent Management professionals to develop and apply assessment-based talent management solutions for selecting, developing and managing people. Trevor is an active member of the TTI Success Insights (TTISI) Global Advisory Council, contributes to TTISI product development and is a regular presenter at TTISI-R3. He is honoured to have received multiple Blue Diamond Awards and, more recently, the Bill Brooks Impact Award recognising his contributions to the TTISI global network.

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