Positive Feedback Loops

Too often, feedback is a codeword for criticism. Many managers want to know how to criticise their staff. Many years ago, one of my manager’s, let’s call him Gernot, noticed my tendency for self-critical reflection. He deliberately focused on giving me positive feedback so that I would not lose sight of my strengths. He knew I’d pick up on most of my weaknesses myself. And, on that one-off occasion when he felt the need to criticise my performance, I was able to hear it, since I knew he hadn’t lost sight of the good in me.