How to Give Positive Feedback

People often overlook the value of positive messages in effecting change. They're too busy looking with that critical eye for something that needs improvement. When delivered correctly, positive feedback can be a strong management tool.

Instructions

1. Make a public statement. While criticism should be delivered in private, positive feedback can be shared. You increase the positive value of your feedback when you deliver it in front of others. Let everyone share in the good news.

2. Save criticism for another time. Mixing the good with the bad dilutes the positive effect of your feedback. Make your positive statement and leave it at that. Save any negative feedback for another conversation. Simultaneously delivering positive and negative feedback cancels both messages.

3. Praise regularly. To be effective, positive feedback should be delivered regularly. Positive messages do more to change behavior than negative ones, but people don't wait to hear them. The occasional positive comment seems insincere once you've developed a reputation for never praising anyone.

4. Keep feedback realistic. Don't blow smoke, as they say. Positive feedback should be specific and realistic. If you praise someone heavily for doing the minimum, he won't be motivated to do more. If you overdo the positive feedback, you appear insincere and your message is worthless.

5. Mix it up. Tag lines lose all meaning once people get used to hearing them. Repeating the same phrase for every situation sounds insincere. Also, avoid superlatives. Telling someone he is the best loses its effect when he hears you tell someone else the same thing. There is only one best.

6. Smile when you say it. Let your facial expression and body language carry some of the message. Deliver positive feedback with a smile, letting the other person know you recognize good work and you're happy to point it out.