In this week’s video blog our expert guide, Don Hadley, discusses what the single best gift we can give is.

During the holiday season, most of us think about special gifts for those around us.  Those gifts can be anything from an iPad or Xbox to giving our time and attention.  While working with leaders, teams and families, we have discovered that the BEST give anyone can give is:  Feedback.

The feedback should not be general in nature, but specific (e.g. I love the way you smile every day or tell a joke when things get tough).  The feedback we provide to those around us helps to reinforce their value to us and to others.  Feedback also should sometimes be the “tough to hear” feedback (e.g. “I think your behavior is damaging your relationship with Susie”).  While this is not the easy type of feedback to provide, it allows the individual to improve themselves.

A great rule of thumb is that feedback should be provided in a 3-to-1 ratio.  Meaning that for 1 negative or improvement feedback given, you should provide 3 positive feedback items as well.  This allows for balance and focus on what the individual is doing well and the improvement portion won’t get lost or become too big for them to digest.

• How often do you provide feedback to those around you:  co-workers, employees, family and friends?

• Do you know how to effectively create the feedback sandwich?

• When was the last time you received feedback, and are you open to receiving that feedback?

If you need a way to facilitate great feedback, give our expert guides a call at 800-786-4332 or email JSabatini@AppliedVisionWorks.com.  Your success is in plain sight; it just takes determination and action and only takes 30 minutes to get started!