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Giving Helpful Feedback

Tracy Jennings

This course teaches you the simple principles expert managers use to improve and motivate employee performance. You’ll never have to avoid telling an employee “the truth” again, because the seven techniques we teach will not make employees defensive or afraid. As a manager, or someone who would like to be a manager, you’ll also learn specifically what feedback is, how negative feedback is weighed more heavily than positive, and how positive feedback can super-charge behaviors such as creativity and teamwork.

Giving feedback is a skill which develops over time. We give you a process you can use to improve your feedback skills and deliver it with confidence. You will find that there is a scientific basis for many of your observations and intuitions about feedback—such as, it is hard to give correctly, people don’t like it, and more. This will be reassuring as you learn how to overcome these difficulties. We hope you have a fantastic time becoming a better manager!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Giving Helpful Feedback and Positive Feedback

The goal of this course is to give you the confidence to deliver both negative and positive feedback successfully and to leave the person receiving feedback with their dignity. To boost your motivation, in the first week we outline specific benefits of mastering feedback skills and provide examples of people whose careers changed because of timely feedback. We also discuss positive feedback and expectations, powerful tools to help people learn at work. You will be able to define both and know how they improve employee performance. You will learn how positive feedback can be delivered in many situations and appreciate the power of positive feedback to enhance employee creativity and teaming skills. We hope that you’ll be able to use this new knowledge immediately.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops feedback skills, which are core managerial skills

Taught by Tracy Jennings, who are recognized for their work in feedback

Examines negative and positive feedback, which are highly relevant to employee management

Provides a process to improve feedback skills and deliver with confidence, which may enhance learner outcomes

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Reviews summary

Practical skills for giving helpful feedback

According to learners, this course provides practical, actionable skills for improving communication, particularly in managerial roles. Students frequently praise the clear structure and organization of the modules, finding the content easy to follow and immediately applicable to their work environments. While many appreciate the foundational approach which builds confidence, some experienced professionals note that the material can be basic or repetitive if they already possess a strong background in communication or management.

Content is logical and easy to follow.

"The modules are well-organized, building logically from positive to negative feedback and then skills."

"I appreciated the clear structure of the course which made it easy to digest the information."

"The flow of the topics felt natural and helped solidify the concepts presented."

Skills are directly useful on the job.

"The techniques learned were directly applicable to situations I face daily as a manager."

"I was able to start using the feedback models right away with my team."

"This course helped me approach performance conversations with more confidence and effectiveness."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Provides actionable skills for work.

"This course provides actionable skills that can be applied immediately in a professional setting."

"I found the techniques taught here very practical and useful for my daily interactions at work."

"The course gave me concrete methods and a process for delivering feedback more effectively."

"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

May be too foundational for experts.

"For someone with existing management experience, some parts felt a bit basic or like a review."

"I was hoping for more advanced techniques or complex scenario analysis."

"If you're already skilled in giving feedback, this might not offer much new information."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on complex topics or unique work situations..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Giving Helpful Feedback with these activities:

Review Positive and Negative Feedback Basics

Show steps

Review the basics of positive and negative feedback before starting the course to refresh your understanding and lay a solid foundation for the course materials.

Browse courses on Positive Feedback

Show steps

Read through the course introduction and syllabus.
Consider your past experiences with receiving and giving feedback.
Identify the key concepts and ideas you already have about feedback.

Review 'Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well'

Show steps

Complement your course learning by reading a book dedicated to receiving feedback, providing valuable insights to enhance your understanding and develop your feedback reception skills.

View Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well'.
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on the ideas presented and consider how they align with your feedback experiences.

Practice Giving Feedback in Low-Stakes Situations

Show steps

Reinforce your skills in giving feedback by practicing in low-stakes situations, such as with friends or family members, to gain confidence.

Browse courses on Giving Feedback

Show steps

Identify low-stakes situations where you can practice giving feedback.
Prepare your feedback using the techniques learned in the course.
Deliver your feedback.
Reflect on the experience and identify areas for improvement.

One other activity

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all four activities

Discuss Feedback Techniques with Peers

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Exchange ideas and best practices with your peers by engaging in discussions on various feedback techniques, broadening your perspectives and enhancing your understanding.

Browse courses on Peer Feedback

Show steps

Find peers to discuss feedback techniques with.
Prepare questions or topics for discussion.
Engage in open and constructive dialogue.
Share your experiences and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Giving Helpful Feedback will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Human Resource Manager

A Human Resource Manager plans, directs, and coordinates the administrative functions of an organization. They are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures, managing employee relations, and overseeing the recruitment and hiring process. This course can help a Human Resource Manager develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees, which can help to improve employee performance and morale. Additionally, the course can help Human Resource Managers to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resource Manager

Performance Improvement Specialist

A Performance Improvement Specialist develops and implements performance improvement plans for organizations. They work with employees to identify areas for improvement and provide coaching and support to help them achieve their goals. This course can help a Performance Improvement Specialist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Performance Improvement Specialists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Improvement Specialist

Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager plans and implements training and development programs for employees. They work with employees to identify training needs and develop and deliver training programs. This course can help a Training and Development Manager develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Training and Development Managers to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Organization Development Consultant

An Organization Development Consultant helps organizations to improve their performance. They work with organizations to identify and solve problems and develop and implement change initiatives. This course can help an Organization Development Consultant develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Organization Development Consultants to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organization Development Consultant

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant helps organizations to improve their performance. They work with organizations to identify and solve problems and develop and implement change initiatives. This course can help a Management Consultant develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Management Consultants to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Career Coach

A Career Coach helps individuals to develop and achieve their career goals. They work with individuals to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop career plans, and prepare for job interviews. This course can help a Career Coach develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to clients. Additionally, the course can help Career Coaches to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Career Coach

Employee Relations Manager

An Employee Relations Manager handles employee relations issues for an organization. They work with employees to resolve grievances, mediate disputes, and develop and implement policies and procedures. This course can help an Employee Relations Manager develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Employee Relations Managers to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Employee Relations Manager

Labor Relations Specialist

A Labor Relations Specialist handles labor relations issues for an organization. They work with unions to negotiate contracts, resolve grievances, and develop and implement labor relations policies and procedures. This course can help a Labor Relations Specialist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Labor Relations Specialists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Labor Relations Specialist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

An Industrial-Organizational Psychologist studies the behavior of people in the workplace. They work with organizations to improve employee performance, productivity, and satisfaction. This course can help an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Industrial-Organizational Psychologists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologist

An Organizational Psychologist studies the behavior of people in organizations. They work with organizations to improve employee performance, productivity, and satisfaction. This course can help an Organizational Psychologist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Organizational Psychologists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Human Resources Specialist

A Human Resources Specialist provides support to human resources departments. They perform a variety of tasks, including recruiting, hiring, and training employees. This course can help a Human Resources Specialist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Human Resources Specialists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Executive Coach

An Executive Coach helps executives to develop and achieve their career goals. They work with executives to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop leadership skills, and prepare for career transitions. This course can help an Executive Coach develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to clients. Additionally, the course can help Executive Coaches to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Coach

Business Consultant

A Business Consultant helps businesses to improve their performance. They work with businesses to identify and solve problems and develop and implement change initiatives. This course can help a Business Consultant develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to clients. Additionally, the course can help Business Consultants to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Performance Manager

A Performance Manager develops and implements performance management systems for organizations. They work with organizations to identify and measure employee performance and provide feedback to employees. This course can help a Performance Manager develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Performance Managers to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Manager

Talent Management Specialist

A Talent Management Specialist helps organizations to manage their talent. They work with organizations to recruit, hire, and develop employees. This course can help a Talent Management Specialist develop the skills needed to provide effective feedback to employees. Additionally, the course can help Talent Management Specialists to understand the legal and ethical considerations of providing feedback.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Management Specialist

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Giving Helpful Feedback.

Hbr's 10 Must Reads on Lifelong Learning (with...

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Discusses the importance of continuous feedback and the mindset that encourages it. It valuable addition to this course because it provides additional background and explores some of the ideas in this course in much more depth.

Giving Helpful Feedback

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical skills for giving helpful feedback

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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