Feedback is one of the key skills of engineering management, and yet we fail to use it well. We see it as a disciplinary practice, which prevents us from offering both positive and negative feedback with the frequency our colleagues require and deserve—but research shows us clearly how dramatically our teams and the work they do can improve when we create environments that are conducive to fluid and dynamic feedback. How can we navigate between these approaches to feedback?

In this talk, we’ll learn about the importance of frequent, specific, meaningful, and achievable feedback; we’ll walk away with a better understanding of how healthy feedback environments work, and how to build your own feedback environment with those factors in mind.  

Personal reflection

• Based on what you just heard, what do you know are your strengths when it comes to giving feedback?
• What’s one opportunity for you to improve your feedback environment, that you can tackle tomorrow?