When Feedback Turns Into 6 Lights

Let’s imagine 6 shades of Light… soft, harsh, nuanced. Feedback is like light that enlightens us, guides us, and transforms us. Here’s why feedback is essential: it helps us see more clearly, shine, bring visibility for improvement, and provide transparency and reflection. But when misused or poorly received, it can plunge us into darkness, causing demotivation, loss of confidence, ambiguity, and resentment.

 

Just like different sources of light, there are different nuances of feedback. Here are 6, let’s explore them:

 

1.  The Spotlight: Positive Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Bright and focused

•  Light Characteristics: White or colored, warm. It highlights.

•  Intention: Motivate, thank, encourage

•  Impact: Improves morale and boosts confidence

 

The spotlight symbolizes positive feedback. By highlighting successes, it maximizes motivation and happiness, while also celebrating moral qualities and virtuous actions.

 

2.  The Desk Lamp: Constructive Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Medium and focused

•  Light Characteristics: White with shades of yellow, indirect but kind, useful

•  Intention: Guide and improve the recipient, often honest and reasoned

•  Impact: Encourages growth and resilience, helps progress

 

Constructive feedback, represented by a desk lamp, is a moderately intense and kind light. It guides and supports, helping the individual improve with clear and honest advice.

 

3. The Lighthouse: Negative Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Strong and sometimes dazzling

•  Light Characteristics: Bright white and direct, sudden, unexpected

•  Intention: Correct and address serious issues

•  Impact: Can provoke immediate change but may harm morale

 

The lighthouse symbolizes negative feedback. Harsh and direct, it aims to correct serious mistakes. It confronts the individual with the truth to provoke change, even if it’s hard to accept.

 

4.  The Dim Light: Interrogative Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Soft and diffuse

•  Light Characteristics: Warm with shades of yellow, indirect and reflective

•  Intention: Prompt reflection and self-evaluation

•  Impact: Encourages introspection and long-term improvement, it’s the coach’s approach

 

The dim light invites reflection and self-evaluation. This soft and indirect feedback encourages deep introspection, allowing the individual to discover ways to improve on their own.

 

5.  The Fluorescent Light: Neutral Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Balanced and constant

•  Light Characteristics: Cold white, functional, without embellishment or emotion

•  Intention: Inform and provide a clear picture

•  Impact: Offers clarity and helps decision-making

 

The fluorescent light, with its cold and constant light, represents neutral feedback. Objective and devoid of emotion, it provides clear information to help with decision-making.

 

6.  The Blinding Light: Harsh Feedback

 

•  Intensity: Very strong and raw

•  Light Characteristics: Intense white, very direct, frank, and unpolished

•  Intention: Deliver the truth without sugarcoating

•  Impact: Can shock and provoke immediate awareness but can also damage relationships

 

The blinding light represents harsh feedback. Direct and without detours, it aims to provoke immediate awareness, even if it can shock and potentially damage relationships.

 

So, what is a Perfect & Balanced Feedback?

 

Perhaps the Natural Daylight, from morning to evening…

 

The Softness of Dawn: Start with Positive Points

 

Start by recognizing successes and positive aspects. This builds self-confidence and motivates the individual to keep making efforts. It’s an approach based on positive psychology that helps cultivate virtuous qualities.

 

The Clarity of Full Daylight: Provide Constructive and Objective Suggestions

 

Constructive feedback should be transparent and fact-based. Suggestions should be specific, reasoned, and solution-oriented. This approach encourages understanding of mistakes and finding solutions.

 

The Steadiness of Dusk: End with a Neutral Summary and Actions

 

End with a neutral summary of the discussed points and concrete actions to take. This phase offers a clear perspective and helps plan precise steps for continuous improvement.