This document discusses effective techniques for providing constructive feedback to students in order to encourage growth and improvement without damaging their self-esteem or motivation. It recommends using a "feedback sandwich" approach of first acknowledging positive qualities, then identifying specific behaviors or ideas that could be improved, and finally offering support and suggestions for implementing changes. Key principles include giving feedback privately, focusing on behaviors rather than personality, using objective language, and allowing time for changes to take effect with follow-up support. The goal is to nourish students professionally and help them achieve their goals through thoughtful, well-timed feedback conversations.

1. Shooting Down Ideas Without Turning Students Off Heather Spell Arrington Assistant Director Student Leadership Development Programs

2. Why are you here?

3. What is Feedback? Feedback Sandwich Feedback Tips Why is this important ?

4. FEEDBACK It's not about force or demanding change It is supposed to "feed" or nourish the person who is receiving it. My definition: Feedback is nourishing another person directly so that they can grow professionally and personally.

5. Feedback can backfire if the information is delivered with force. It can taste sour if the "feedback" is passed through someone else to the person for whom it is intended. People need to digest their own food; otherwise it's hard to stomach!

6. THE FEEDBACK SANDWICH Appreciate the Person Challenge the Behavior Support the Change

7. APPRECIATE THE PERSON Share appreciation by expressing something about the person which you recognize as positive. A person who feels more secure will be less defensive and less likely to attack you. Help them feel secure that you recognize their value by acknowledging that value. It is almost as if, by speaking of the positive things about this person, you bring the positive part of them to the surface. That is the part of them you want to receive your feedback!

8. CHALLENGE THE BEHAVIOR OR IDEA Describe their behavior which you want changed. State how you see their behavior could be ineffective in having them get their job done or reach their goals. Focus on the Behavior Not the Person Make sure you point out the result of their behavior and the reason why you believe a change in the behavior or idea would be in their best interest.

9. SUPPORT THE CHANGE Real change takes time. What you are pointing out to them might be an unconscious habit for them. Just because you have told them does not mean that their habit will automatically change. Even if they want to change, the old habit will not automatically disappear. Give them some time to turn a good intention into a new habit. Change requires practice, requires forgetting and remembering, and usually requires help and support.

10. ONGOING SUPPORT Ask them what you can do or say to support the change. Ask them what you can do or say to help them change in this more positive direction. Ask them how it would be appropriate for you to remind them if you see the old behavior happening again. If possible have them suggest something you can do to help, when you see the old behavior happening again.

11. Golden Rules of Giving Feedback Give feedback in private Do not sound threatening Keep the feedback balanced Focus on the problem, not on the person's personality Don't overstate the problem by using words such as "always," "never" or "worst" Stick to one subject Don't remind people of previous instances that were resolved. Use the "I" statements

12. Robert is reading an article and Stephen is in the next room working intently on his computer. Robert notices something in his article that he feels is very important for Stephen to know. Robert knows it would make a big difference for Stephen if he only understood it. Robert gets excited, and immediately takes the article to show Stephen. He doesn't knock, he doesn't consider what Stephen is doing or whether Stephen is ready to hear anything new. Robert just comes right into Stephen's office and starts talking. He says, "Stephen, I think you need to see this. This is really important". Stephen is caught off guard. He's deep in his own thoughts about his own project. He isn't ready to see the article right now. He is in the middle of something he feels is important and finds it intrusive and disrespectful to be pulled away from his work to consider Robert's unscheduled interruption.

13. Feedback Tip #1 Allow for receiver readiness

14. Feedback Tip #2 Feedback needs to be descriptive NOT interpretive

15. Feedback Tip #3 Cover recent events or actions

16. Feedback Tip #4 Sense of appropriate time

17. Feedback Tip #5 Feedback should be something valuable and new

18. Feedback Tip #6 Must be something changeable

19. Feedback Tip #7 Is given to be helpful

20. Feedback Tip #8 Do NOT demand a change

21. Feedback Tip #9 Avoid an overload of feedback

22. Feedback Tip #10 Look for understanding

23. Feedback Tip #11 Share personal experience

24. Feedback Tip #12 Be specific, give the FACTS

25. Feedback Tip #13 Ask for feedback

26. Feedback Tip #14 Both parties share reactions to situation

27. Where do we go from here? How will you use this in your current role as Adviser? How will this make you more affective when working with students?

28. QUESTIONS?