Providing feedback to drive change

EFFECTIVE feedback is all about the intention - which is essentially to help improve performance of an individual or a team. Feedback is critical for improving behaviour, but it cannot be done in a critical manner.

When is the best time to give feedback? In real time. Right there when you see something inappropriate that has just happened. Waiting for the six-monthly appraisal time is too late.

Should the feedback be in private or in public? In a forward-looking organisation that cherishes the culture of authenticity and transparency, it can be done in public. More importantly the culture of the organisation should not have an exaggerated respect for hierarchy. Anybody from any level can provide feedback to anybody at any level. In a more conservative organisation where the egos of the leaders/managers are pronounced and they are not mature enough to handle feedback in public, it is best to offer it in private.