Feedback Resources

Feedback is most impactful when trust exists—creating an environment where individuals feel valued and open to growth. Trust enhances receptivity, turning feedback into a collaborative and productive experience. To deliver feedback effectively, focus on these principles:

• Timely: Provide feedback soon after an event to ensure it remains relevant and actionable.
• Private: Address sensitive matters in a confidential setting to uphold respect.
• Development-Focused: Highlight opportunities for growth and improvement, creating a positive and forward-looking dialogue.

By prioritizing trust and development in feedback conversations, we empower individuals and teams to thrive.

Frameworks like the Four-Point Formula guide you to deliver feedback that is specific, objective, and actionable: 

1. Open with a question: Begin with a short, permission-based question that prepares the recipient. Example: “Do you have a few minutes to discuss that project update?”
2. Give a Data Point: Share specific, observable facts without exaggeration or judgment. Replace vague terms like “be better” with examples. Example: “You committed to sending the report by Tuesday, but I received it Thursday.”
3. Show Impact: Explain how the behavior or action affected you, the team, or the work. Example: “Because the report was late, I couldn’t finalize the presentation on time.”
4. End with a Question: Invite collaboration and reflection. Example: “How do you see it?” or “What’s your perspective on this?”

Why It Works: This framework makes feedback feel constructive, collaborative, and less intimidating while fostering accountability. Learn more by watching LeaAnn Renniger’s Ted Training Video (5 mins).

Great feedback starts with self-awareness. Model the behaviors you want to encourage in others—whether that’s openness to feedback, active listening, or consistency in delivering results. Individuals are more likely to respond positively when they see you embody the values and actions you emphasize.

Fact: Teams with leaders who model desired behaviors are more engaged and 21% more productive.
 

Workday’s tools simplify feedback documentation, turning it into a powerful resource for tracking progress and fostering growth. 

Use Workday’s ‘Get Feedback’ feature to request, share, and document feedback effortlessly (Type ‘Get Feedback’ in the Workday search bar). This tool supports performance reviews and day-to-day development. Refer to the 'Feedback (Peer Review) tasks' job aid below for step-by-step guidance on using this feature effectively.

Mandatory for Nurse Peer Review: Nurses in all settings are required to use Workday’s ‘Get Feedback’ tasks for peer review documentation, per the Medical Center NPGO office. This ensures a standardized and transparent approach across teams.

Notice: Workday Job Aids require you to be on the VPN to access.

AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can improve how you approach giving and receiving feedback by offering real-time support, clarity, and objectivity. Here's how AI can enhance your feedback process:

1. Craft Clear Feedback: Struggling to phrase your thoughts? AI can help you rewrite feedback to ensure it's constructive, balanced, and actionable. Example: Turn “You need to be more proactive” into “Let’s work on anticipating challenges earlier to improve outcomes.”
2. Adjust Tone: Worried about sounding too harsh or unclear? AI can refine your language to strike the right balance between empathy and accountability.
3. Generate Examples: AI can provide practical examples to make your feedback more specific. Example: Input: “Help me explain how missed deadlines impact the team.” Output: “When deadlines are missed, it creates delays for others relying on that work, affecting overall productivity.”
4. Prepare for Conversations: Use AI to simulate feedback discussions, helping you anticipate responses and practice delivering feedback effectively.
5. Track and Reflect: AI integrations with tools like Workday can help you log, categorize, and analyze feedback patterns, enabling better alignment with team goals and individual development plans.

Note: AI is a tool to enhance clarity and efficiency but should complement authentic, thoughtful input. Copilot is the University-approved, enterprise-protected tool for Generative AI that has the added privilege of enterprise security, meaning what you tell it and/or upload to it stays within UVA.

We offer in-person training for managers and their teams upon request, as well as one-on-one consulting. Email AskHR@virginia.edu with the subject "PM Training" and a member of the performance team will reach out to you.