How to give effective feedback and manage conflict
The pathway to healthy relationships
Description
Sometimes it is necessary to give constructive feedback, usually in a working situation. This may also be applicable in a personal relationship. Your goal is the make the other person aware and give them an opportunity to learn and grow. Our aim should always be to build the other person up. We often shy away from difficult conversations, like giving negative feedback or dealing with conflict. This may create strong feelings of worry and uncertainty, as we do not want to hurt of harm the relationship. Remember that the purpose of feedback to make the other person aware and give them an opportunity to learn and grow. The purpose of conflict resolution is to resolve the issue at hand and build a stronger, better relationship. We need to develop certain skills to create this.
In this course you will learn what are the differences between criticism and feedback, how to give feedback to ensure a positive outcome and how to identify the different conflict styles that people use. You will also learn how to resolve conflict in a constructive way.
If you are a manager and often need to give feedback to your employees, you need to look at this course. This course may even be applicable for every person who struggles with conflict and does not know how to deal with it. Constructive feedback is more valuable than destructive criticism because it focuses on growth and improvement rather than tearing someone down. Constructive feedback offers specific suggestions and guidance for improvement, highlighting areas of strength and areas that can be developed. It fosters a positive and supportive environment, promotes personal and professional growth, and encourages individuals to learn from their mistakes and make meaningful progress.
Criticism may give rise to intense emotions and therefore it is important that you have the skills to deal with it. Use the following guidelines to help you to stay calm, then you can deal with it by using the feedback process.
• The first principle is not to defend yourself, deny the facts or attack the other person.
• Another important principle is to determine whether the criticism is valid or not. If it is valid, acknowledge it and try to change your behaviour. If it is not valid, ignore it.
• Be open to self-improvement if necessary. See it as an opportunity to grow. Draw up a plan of action to improve/change your behaviour where applicable.
• Stay calm and play for time to calm yourself down and gain clarity. Protect yourself if you think that the time is not right – take “Time Out” if you want to. Share your reaction with the other person.
• Be rational and objective as far as possible.
And many others as you will learn when you take this course.
Feedback
Sometimes it is necessary to give constructive feedback, as in a working situation. The following are tips to keep in mind:
Prepare yourself: Identify the specific problem that you want to address.
Identify why it is a problem.
Ensure that you know how you want to convey the feedback/criticism.
Ensure that the time and place are suited for this. Individual basis, not in a group.
Mention that it is your own opinion and that it may be subjective.
Protect the other person’s self-worth, get clarity about their perspectives.
Emphasise the progress the person has made already.
Show that you care for the other person.
Be in control of your own feelings.
You will be more respected and have good healthy relationships if you can learn these skills. They will last you a lifetime and you will never unlearn it again.
Being able to cope with criticism and provide accurate feedback can bring numerous benefits, both personally and professionally. Here are some key advantages:
Personal growth: Coping with criticism allows you to develop resilience and self-awareness. It helps you recognise your strengths and weaknesses, enabling personal growth and improvement.
Improved relationships: Handling criticism in a constructive manner fosters better interpersonal relationships. It shows that you are open to feedback and willing to work on yourself, which promotes trust, respect, and effective communication.
Professional development: Constructive feedback is invaluable for professional growth. It helps you identify areas for improvement, learn new skills, and refine your performance. By giving accurate feedback, you can also contribute to the growth of others in your personal or professional sphere.
Enhanced decision-making: Accurate feedback provides valuable insights and perspectives. It helps you make informed decisions by highlighting blind spots, potential pitfalls, and alternative approaches.
Innovation and creativity: By being open to criticism and feedback, you create an environment that encourages innovation and creativity. Constructive feedback can spark new ideas, inspire problem-solving, and lead to continuous improvement.
Increased self-confidence: The ability to cope with criticism and provide accurate feedback boosts your self-confidence. When you are open to feedback and actively engage in self-improvement, you become more self-assured in your abilities and more willing to take on challenges.
Higher performance and productivity: Effective feedback and criticism provide clarity on expectations and help you align your efforts accordingly. By addressing areas of improvement and leveraging feedback, you can enhance your performance and productivity.
Continued learning: Criticism and feedback are valuable sources of knowledge and learning. They expose you to different perspectives, expand your understanding, and enable continuous learning and development.
Resolving conflicts: Constructive feedback can help address conflicts and improve relationships. It allows for open dialogue, clarifying misunderstandings, and finding common ground.
Reputation and credibility: By being able to cope with criticism gracefully and providing accurate feedback, you establish a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and credibility. Others will value your input and trust your judgment.
Overall, the ability to cope with criticism and offer accurate feedback contributes to personal growth, improved relationships, professional development, and enhanced decision-making. It fosters a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration, benefiting both individuals and organisations.
What You Will Learn!
- Students will learn the following from this course: 1. The difference between criticism and feedback 4. How to resolve conflict in a constructive way.
- 2. The tools they will need to be able to give feedback
- 3. What feedback really is and what the process is when you need to give feedback to someone
- 4. How to resolve conflict in a constructive way.
Who Should Attend!
- Anyone who is a manager and who needs to give feedback to employees on a regular basis. Students who want to learn how to resolve conflict and how to cope with criticism.