Steps For Giving Peer-to-Peer Feedback

Do you want to make sure that the feedback you are giving to a peer is effective? Let's look at some steps that can help. A very effective way to give peer-to-peer feedback is by using the situation behavior impact, or SBI feedback model. Here's how it works. First, describe the situation you observed so that your peer understands the where and when of the specific circumstances. Next, relate the person's behavior, what they did or said. And finally, share the impact of the behavior on you and on others, the so what.

Here's an example of giving redirecting feedback. "Hey, Pat, I'd like to check with you on something that happened yesterday. I called you at eight o'clock to get the outlook numbers for the coming month." The situation, where and when. "I said that I needed to include the projection in a report due at three o'clock. You said you would have the numbers to me by noon, and I didn't receive anything from you and I couldn't find you after lunch." The behavior, what happened. "I was not able to submit the report without the numbers and the planning meeting had to be rescheduled. Chris wasn't very happy about it, and I'm wondering what happened." The impact, the so what.

Here's another example. This time, let's try reinforcing feedback."Jared, do you have a minute? Hey, I just want to let you know how much I appreciate the way you let me interrupt you to ask for help at the copier this morning." The situation, the where and when. "You stopped what you were doing, and I know what you were working on might have been more important than a copier jam, and you came right out to help me fix the problem with a smile on your face." The behavior, or what happened. "Because of you, I was able to print the materials we were using in the one o'clock client meeting and we impressed the heck out of them. I think we made a sale that would've potentially gotten away. Thank you for your flexibility. It makes a difference around here." The impact statement, the so what.Giving feedback like this is an effective way to reinforce what you appreciate from your colleagues. Additionally, it's a productive and professional way to raise and discuss difficulties in the workplace.