Online Course: Home Base

Welcome to the Home Base for the online course, “Four Steps to Effective Feedback.”

Dian Killian

Our Heartfelt Request: We work hard to produce content and to design the course to serve you — the people who are registered. We would be grateful if you use these materials only for yourself. If you know someone who wants these materials, please email us and we will reach out to them with options (we plan to translate the course into a video series that people can purchase).

Dates: The course consisted of six 90-minute sessions on 6 consecutive Wednesdays from September 18 – October 23, 2019

Video recordings:

  1. Session 1 (18 September 2019)
  2. Session 2 (25 September 2019)
  3. Session 3 (2 October 2019)
  4. Session 4 (9 October 2019)
  5. Session 5 (16 October 2019)
  6. Session 6 (23 October 2019)

Note: Video recordings will be available to view through November 30, 2019.

Session Summaries:

  1. SESSION 1 [18 September 2019]: We set intentions together and looked at what makes it so hard to give and receive feedback: What gets in the way? And what would make it easier? We’ll also learn a practice you can use at any time to get more energized and focused when giving feedback.
  2. SESSION 2 [25 September 2019]: We built on that intention-setting pre-step and blend it with self-empathy to start practicing how to give actual feedback to someone; in particular, that it is easier to give and receive feedback when you are connected to the underlying needs that are present.
  3. SESSION 3 [2 October 2019]: We reviewed the 4-step feedback that you wrote, making use of OFNR (Observations, Feelings, Needs, Requests) and especially focusing on observations — how to find that sweet spot between sufficient information to be clear and connecting and not so much as to be overwhelming! — and “pulling the jackal by the ears” connection requests. We also checked in about the feelings and needs you chose, exploring the difference between “faux” feelings and actual feelings and the difference (and greater responsibility) of saying “I feel..” rather than “this makes me feel…” We also touched again on “stacking” your OFNRs when you are hesitant or fearful about sharing authentically with someone.
  4. SESSION 4 [9 October 2019]: We had a connection “request fest” focusing more on different kinds of connection requests and why they are so key to giving and receiving effective feedback. We also focused on “stacking” different rounds of OFNR in giving and receiving feedback that can help if we’ve experienced push back before with this person or are feeling self-conscious or vulnerable for other reasons. Also, we touched on strategy or “CPD” requests (clear, present, and doable) that, in effect, are very similar to observations. Observations are about what happened; CPD requests are about what we’d like to see happen — in effect, future observations!
  5. SESSION 6 (23 October 2019): We reviewed the OFNRs you drafted, with the focus on a request for a recap, and then also discussed the CPDs (Clear/Concrete, Positive, and Doable) requests you drafted. We then put everything we learned together through some impromptu mini role-plays and Q&A, and ended by practicing feedback focused needs met (otherwise known as appreciation or “giraffe fuel”! 🙂  We also looked at some ways that you can continue your learning, including continued sessions with your practice buddy!

Course materials: