Feedback: What it is

Rather than using "feedback," we prefer the literal translation: "nourishing return." Feedback is meant to provide information to a person about the impact of their actions or words, offering them an opportunity for improvement. It is essential for human development, a key element of learning and growth. It allows individuals to see how their behaviors are perceived and adjust accordingly. Feedback should truly "nourish" the recipient to encourage continuous evolution.

Feedback: what it is not

Feedback is neither a judgment of the person themselves, nor an opportunity to blame or find a culprit. It should not serve as an outlet for expressing anger or seeking revenge. It is also not a lever to manipulate someone in order to get what we want. Writing an article that criticizes or praises someone's work can be considered feedback, but vandalizing campaign posters or being aggressive on social media are not. These actions do nothing to help the person improve and, on the contrary, create a sense of injustice and contempt.

Feedback: Its Success Criteria

On a Regular Basis

Waiting for the annual performance evaluation meeting of an employee is like waiting until the end of the school year to announce the results to a student. When feedback is provided regularly, the formal evaluation becomes a moment to recap development opportunities and celebrate successes, without any unpleasant surprises.

Constructive

Involving your child in cleaning up their scribbles on the wall is constructive; punishing them by depriving them of their favorite activity is much less so. Expressing frustration loudly, talking about negative consequences, or insisting on mistakes can be destructive. Feedback should build, not demolish.

Based on Facts

A successful feedback is based on facts, not perceptions. The person giving feedback should avoid using phrases such as "It's not professional to..." or "I think you should improve your communication" or "I heard that...". Factual feedback describes specific situations with tangible evidence.

Focused on the Future, on Solutions

Le feedback se concentre sur l’avenir et aide à trouver des solutions. Il engage la personne à explorer des moyens pour résoudre la situation actuelle et permet de découvrir et d’adopter de nouveaux comportements ou actions pour éviter de retomber dans les mêmes pièges.

Conversational 

Feedback is an opportunity to open a dialogue, not to deliver a monologue. The art of engaging with the person involved lies mainly in asking open-ended questions and actively listening on the part of the giver during the conversation.

Kind

The feedback is accompanied by an open mindset and respect for the other's reality. The receiver is not hurt if the giver ensures a psychological safety climate. The receiver expresses their needs or difficulties, and the giver adjusts their approach if necessary.

Life, an Infinite Chain of Actions and Reactions 

We spend our lives giving and receiving feedback; the smile of a parent when their child scores a goal, the disapproving look of a mother in response to negative behavior, the heartfelt message sent after a breakup, the silence to avoid confrontation, or even our inner voice, which can sometimes be our worst enemy, etc. Consider feedback as a gift you give to someone else: you wouldn't want it to be poisoned or forgotten in an attic. Its packaging, essence, and alignment with the needs of the recipient are crucial. It's not enough to have good intentions; your feedback must truly help the other person grow.