1. Avoiding Conflict Through Effective Communication
Presented By Columbus Area
Labor-Management Committee
Meredith Porterfield, Program Manager

2. Providing Constructive Feedback
Used appropriately, constructive feedback can:
Check perceptions
Avoid misunderstandings
Reinforce the good behaviors, help with positive new behaviors
Can help individuals strengthen and grow
Build relationships instead of destroy

3. Providing Constructive Feedback
Constructive feedback should never be done in a way to hurt a person or cause any damage

4. Providing Constructive Feedback
What Should Not Be Done
Want to maintain or build a person’s self-esteem, not destroy it
Should not be threatening or eliminate a threatening environment
Don’t give when upset or angry but must be timely

5. Providing Constructive Feedback
Guidelines:
May need to be done privately
Think before you speak
Consider the other person
Watch vocal tone and non-verbals
Focus on the future, way to help
Offer help to make changes and
Use “I” messages instead of “you” messages

6. Providing Constructive Feedback
What’s a “YOU” message?
An ineffective message
Examples:
You really aren’t doing your job!
Clean up this mess! (You implied)
You better change your attitude!

7. Providing Constructive Feedback
Problems with “you” messages:
Communication ceases
Can make people angrier
Put on the defensive
Damages relationship and any future attempts of building one
Assumes guilt or fear will help change behavior

8. Providing Constructive Feedback
Using “I” messages:
Reveals what a person is feeling and why – allows for venting
Focuses on the issue, not the person
Honest, open
Better opportunity to continue relationship
Puts more accountability on the other person to change

9. Providing Constructive Feedback
“I” messages:
3 parts:
Express feelings
Description of the behavior
Effects
Example:
I resent it (feelings) when weekly reports are late (describes behavior) and I have to work late to finish my work (effects)

10. Providing Constructive Feedback
Other examples:
It frustrates me when someone comes late to the meeting and we have to spend our limited time providing updates
It makes me angry when I’m interrupted because it makes me hard to make my point

11. Providing Constructive Feedback
Practice:
A worker in the department leaves the break area messy with dirty cups and dishes and other trash.
Come up with an “I” message. Identify the feelings, behavior and effects.
You need information from another person to finish your project but that person keeps putting off giving you the information even though you have asked several times.
Come up with “I” message. Identify the feelings, behavior and effects.

12. Avoiding Conflict Through Effective Communication
For more information, assistance or facilitation for your next meeting, contact:
Columbus Area Labor-Management Committee