Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions

Date: Jan 09, 2025
Bangalore

How to give effective feedback? That’s the question this blog post will answer for you.

Yesterday, I received two interesting points of view on the same speech that I gave at two different clubs.

A couple of points were good and a couple not so much.

I’ve grown old enough now, not to worry so much about the feedback that doesn’t gel well with what I want.

I carry no hard feelings. I move on.

Feedback is like a gift

My leadership trainer, Mr. Srivatsa Kababa, used to say, “feedback is like a gift.”

You accept it.

Check it out. if you like it then keep it, use it.

If not, just let go.

Don’t argue or fight with the giver of the gift.

Not all feedback is going to be good. Heck, most of them won’t.

But keep an open mind because you may pick a golden nugget.

And that could take your skills to the next level.

I’ll remain Open-minded while Receiving Feedback

During early 2000s, I worked with an American company selling internet services.

I learnt the importance of receiving and giving feedback there.

And, it was the best learning experience I’d had…

A couple of days ago, I learnt the process of Evaluating a speech and giving feedback to the speaker about that speech.

Here are the key points from my learning:

These are key points to remember before giving feedback.

Here’s what you could do to become good at giving effective feedback:

Use “I” statements such as, “I noticed that you did ____________ ” or “I observed that you were ____________”, etc.
Pick specific examples or instances from the speech and discuss how that could be done better
Give feedback rather than advice. Remember feedback = information based on observation of a behaviour; advice = your opinion – which is about the person and NOT the behaviour.
Highlight the positives
Finish with a summary

That’s it, just be mindful of these five things and practice them and you’ll become an awesome speech evaluator.

These are my learnings from Toastmasters International, thanks to the non-profit organization for changing the lives for the better..