Exercise 1 for my workshop on feedback.

1. Exercise 1 – Feedback and Mirror Types
Both Partners
Goals
Gettingfamiliarwiththe three typesof feedbackandtwotypesof mirrors.
Building Phase (Time: 10 minutes)
Buildanythingyoulike (withinreason)!Getcreative andletthatinnerchildrockoutwithsome plasticbricks.If you’re
stuck forideas,trya car, an alien,ora small house.
Feedback Phase (Time: 10 minutes)
1) Introduce Your Creation
Take a minute todescribe whatyou’ve builttoyourpartner,and letthemdothe same.
2) Practice Coaching
Take turns practicingCoachingfeedbackwithyourpartner. Offerthemsome Coachingfeedbackaboutwhatever
they’ve built.Remembertoactuallyofferasuggestionforimprovement!
Here’ssome suggestionsto getyoustarted:
 Choose anaspect of your partner’screationandcommentona wayit couldbe improved.Some examplesof
thingsyoucouldchoose to commentonare: symmetry,use of color,structural stability,accuracyof
representation,etc.
 Play“What-If”withyourpartner’screation.Coulditwithstandatornado?Coulditbe usedas a doorstop/bottle
opener/othertool?Whatcouldyourpartnerchange tomake itbe able to do that?
3) Practice Evaluation
Take turns practicingEvaluationfeedbackwithyourpartner. Evaluate theircreationusingsome simple,declarative
statementsaboutit.
If you needa suggestiontogetstarted,picksome physical aspectof the creationandcommentonthat, e.g.“Your
small animal is5 brickstall,”or “Your house ismade of six colorsof bricks.”
4) Practice Appreciation
Take turns practicingAppreciationfeedbackwithyourpartner.ExpressAppreciationthatyougetto be thisperson’s
partnerand see the creationthey’ve built.
RememberthatYoumightnot have pickedthispersonasyourpartner specifically,buttheyputsome partof
themselvesintotheircreation,andthey’re sharingthatwithyou!That’sa brave act, and it’sworthyof respectand
appreciation.
5) Practice Being Supportive Mirrors
Expressa personal concernaboutyourcreationto yourpartner,and have themact as a Supportive Mirrorby
reassuringyou.Thenreverse the roles.
6) Practice Being Honest Mirrors
Expressa differentpersonal concernabout yourcreationtoyourpartner,and have themact as an Honest Mirror by
offeringtheirhonestopinion(ashonestastheycare to be,anyhow).Thenreverse the roles.
7) Repeat
Repeatthe exercise (oranypart) as manytimesas youwant until you’re comfortable withall the feedbacktypes.