WORKPLACE CHALLENGE

TASTER: ADOPTING A FEEDBACK MINDSET

Introduction: The Feedback Mindset (1 min)

On our Workplace Challenge Programme we help participants to develop their ability to adopt ‘a feedback mindset’

We all know constructive feedback is important. Yet most of us don’t go looking for it.

But here’s the thing: everybody already knows why we avoid it.

What we need is a feedback mindset, one that gets us through the awkwardness, ego, and fear.

In this taster content you’ll learn some tips to help you develop your own feedback mindset, so that giving constructive feedback becomes more helpful than harsh, and receiving it feels more like learning than losing.

The Feedback Mindset: Giving Feedback (3 mins)

Giving constructive feedback isn’t about being ‘brutally honest’, it’s about being helpful.

In this video, we’ll share three mindset tools to you can use:

  • Don’t be a ‘Jerk’

  • Using ‘clumsy language’

  • Feedback is a gift

The Feedback Mindset: Receiving Feedback (3 mins)

Hearing constructive feedback can be tough, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to grow.

In this video, you’ll learn three mindset tools to help you make best use of constructive feedback:

  • Assertive Enquiry

  • Curiosity

  • It’s a gift

An individual reflection exercise you can try:

Think of a time you gave or received feedback that didn’t land well.

What do you think went wrong?

Reframe that moment using one of the principles:

  • Motive (don’t be a Jerk)

  • Framing ‘clumsy language’

  • Giving it is a gift (let it go)

  • Assertive Enquiry (“I’m missing something - can you help me”)

  • Curiosity to explore what you don’t agree with

  • Receiving it is a gift (you got a different perspective)

WHAT COULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY that would have potentially made the feedback in your scenario more valuable?

PRO TIP: focus on your own thoughts and actions rather than choosing a change that the other person should have made

HOW WE USE IT ON OUR WORKPLACE PROGRAMME:

We run a session where:

  • We explain ‘the feedback mindset’ principles to them

  • One team then presents a rough draft of their solution so far

  • The other team listens to the presentation and then gives feedback

  • The presenting team explores the feedback and will decide on any changes they will make in creating their final presentation

This is effective for learning because:

  • This creates a safe and collaborative space where they can develop their feedback mindset

  • Participants not only get feedback on their ideas, but they also get to experience the perspective from ‘the other side of the table’ in terms of how leadership might evaluate a presentation

“You learn how to be able to criticise the ideas. You might not like to do that sometimes but it’s really useful when you’re developing a solution. It gets easier and you become more comfortable with it so you can apply that to communicating with people outside of the group as well”
— Jack Hart, Engineering Apprentice, Plexus

THE FEEDBACK MINDSET: SUMMARY (1 MIN)

Feedback is a vital part of developing high-quality solutions, but many of us struggle to tap into it.

By adopting a feedback mindset, we unlock the ability to listen, learn, and improve ideas in a way that drives real progress.

On our Workplace Challenge programme, participants develop these types of skills through applying them to real business challenges set by your organisation.

Want to see how it works? Click the link below to learn more.