The secret to giving great feedback | The Way We Work, a TED series

About this Video

• Video Title: The secret to giving great feedback | The Way We Work, a TED series
• Channel: TED
• Speakers: The speaker's name is not explicitly mentioned in the transcript.
• Duration: 00:05:02

Introduction

This TED Talk discusses the importance of effective feedback in the workplace and reveals why many people struggle to give and receive it constructively. The speaker presents a four-part formula designed to improve feedback delivery, making it more brain-friendly and less likely to trigger defensiveness.

Key Takeaways

1. Ineffective Feedback is Common: A Gallup survey showed only 26% of employees strongly agree that the feedback they receive improves their work. Many give feedback indirectly (ineffectively) or too directly (causing defensiveness).

2. The Four-Part Feedback Formula: This formula helps deliver difficult messages effectively:

   • Micro-yes: Begin with a short, important question to prepare the recipient (e.g., "Do you have five minutes to talk about…"). This creates a moment of buy-in and sets the pace.
   • Data Point: State specific, objective facts without vague or subjective words (blur words). Convert blur words into data points (e.g., instead of "You're unreliable," say, "You said you'd email this by 11, and I still haven't received it").
   • Impact Statement: Explain how the data point impacted you (e.g., "Because I didn't receive the email, I was blocked on my work").
   • Question: End with a question to invite collaboration and joint problem-solving (e.g., "What are your thoughts on this?").

3. Proactive Feedback (Pulling Feedback): Actively soliciting feedback, rather than waiting for it, establishes the speaker as a continual learner.