One of the tools a ScrumMaster needs in their toolbox is the ability to both give and receive feedback.

Is this you?

And.

Be able to teach others to be able to do the same.

This is one of the ways a team can become “high performing” and really start to surprise everyone — including the team itself.

This is hard stuff. It looks easy on paper… but as with many things when you try to do this in real life, things can get tough.

Here is a format I use during my Certified ScrumMaster Workshops:

How to GIVE feedback

Start with an opening

Stan, can I talk to you for a minute…

Provide data NOT opinion

…in the meeting this morning when you said…

Talk about the impact on YOU, avoid speaking for others

…it made me feel uncomfortable and distracted me…

Make a request for change.

Please bla bla bla.

That’s it. Pretty easy, huh?

Come up with some hypothetical examples and run through them. Need some? Let me know.

Hmm. Sometimes this is not easy to do. Can you see why this is the case?

And that is normal.

And.

It is OK.

Really.

So what about receiving feedback?

How to RECEIVE feedback

1. Breathe
2. Stay calm and listen
3. Ask for clarity
4. Don’t interrupt, but if you aren’t getting what you need (data) then ask for it
5. Use what you can
6. Remember it’s information not praise or blame
7. Know when enough is enough
8. If you are being overwhelmed ask for some time to digest it.

Gotta run….

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