Giving Helpful Feedback from Coursera

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!

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.

Negative Feedback: Use With Caution

Negative Feedback is a specialized learning tool. We all know that negative feedback feels punishing. Our goal this week is for you to understand why it is punishing, why we hesitate to use it, and when it can be used effectively without negative consequences. You will be able to identify specific situations where negative feedback is given more weight than positive feedback and learn a technique that can overcome some of negative feedback’s harmful side effects. Armed with a clearer concept of the pluses and minuses of negative feedback, you can be more confident that you are using it appropriately at work.

The Seven Essential Feedback Skills - Part I

Based on your work in the first two weeks, you can now describe negative and positive feedback and appreciate the power of these tools to change behavior. In the next two weeks, we take the next step towards building your feedback skills by teaching you seven specific skills to use when delivering professional feedback. At the end these two weeks you will know how to deliver work-related feedback that is effective at changing an employee’s behavior while still preserving their dignity.

The Seven Essential Feedback Skills - Part II

This week we continue building on your knowledge of the seven essential feedback skills.

Giving Helpful Feedback: Turn Your Knowledge Into Long-Term Change

You now know the fundamentals of positive and negative feedback and the skills necessary to deliver both. In this module we begin by describing situations where no matter how talented you are, your feedback will not “get through” to your employee. These situations can be discouraging and we point them out so you can diagnose why your feedback may not have worked. We then describe a process to enable you to continue practicing and improving your new skills. True change takes time, but the journey is worth it.

Helpful Class Resources

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Encouraging feedback

Learners say this course, 'Giving Helpful Feedback,' is largely positive. It teaches how to give feedback to improve employee performance and maintain positive relationships in workplaces or at home. According to students, key takeaways include: Engaging assignments such as case studies and examples help students apply concepts to real-world situations. The course offers a clear and concise explanation of feedback, its types (positive and negative), and how to give it effectively. The instructor, Tracy Jennings, is knowledgeable and presents the material in a well-paced and engaging manner. Students appreciate the emphasis on practical applications and the opportunity to practice giving feedback through quizzes and exercises.

The instructor presents the material in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner, making it easy to follow and understand.

"Clear and concise content, very helpful"

"The course is very useful and examples are helpful to understand"

The instructor, Tracy Jennings, is knowledgeable and experienced in the field of feedback, and her expertise shines through in the course material.

"The course provides very useful and practical contents. Great."

"Well structured course, objective and with practical examples. "

The course provides numerous case studies and examples that make it easy to understand and apply the concepts in real-life situations.

"It was really useful to understand what, why, when and how to give feedback."

"I enjoyed this course and I believe it is helpful not only in your workplace, but in general."

The course focuses on practical applications of feedback, providing learners with tools and techniques they can immediately use in their own lives.

"Very helpful with tips that can be immediately applied."

"This learning course is very helpful and useful for me."

Some learners may find that the course is a bit short or that it lacks in-depth coverage of certain topics.

"More written content are needed as a reference"

"ES BUENO, SIN EMBARGO, REQUIERE DE MAS AYUDAS VISUALES EN LOS VIDEOS"

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

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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

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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'

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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