Feedback at work
This article, which I have just seen because it was tweeted by @timharford, accords with much of what I feel about giving and receiving feedback at work.
(As of April 2013, this item isn't blocked by a paywall). I recommend reading it for its many points, but in a nutshell, it talks about straightforwardness rather than fudge. The article concludes with:
But, again, if we look at feedback as an opportunity to make someone work better rather than feel better, we're more likely to do it successfully. As Professor Fishbach said, “We're probably unaware that people would like to know how to improve, and they deserve to know it. It's their right.”
I have given numerous career development talks to teams of my colleagues. When the sessions include either prior submitted questions, or there is a q&a forum at the end, it is very typical to be asked questions like 'what us the best piece of feedback you have ever received'. I will always know the answer to that, and can almost hear Philip Johnson, the partner who gave me it, 25 years ago. Philip's feedback fitted like a glove to Professor Fishbach's findings.
Of course, what would be really valuable would be if the same findings applied to giving feedback to one's spouse and teenage children…
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