Tips for Giving Feedback and Resolving Differences

When you have to give feedback on your teammates' work, consider using the following techniques for constructive criticism:

Give balanced feedback by emphasizing positive points as well as areas for improvement. Ask clear questions when you don't understand something.
In your critiques, explain what you, as a reader, understood easily and what you had difficulty understanding. Using this "reader" perspective, rather than focusing on the writer's problems, will make for the most effective feedback.
Identify the specific words, phrases, or sections that you think need improvement. For instance, if you respond to your teammates' work by saying, "I found this unclear," you are taking a diplomatic "reader" perspective, but you aren't helping the writer identify what precisely is unclear or what should be changed.

Differences in opinion or work style may arise among members of a team. Always try to resolve differences diplomatically by trying the following techniques:

Instead of assigning blame, focus on finding a solution or workaround to the problems. Be proactive with ideas, information, and questions.
If your process is unpleasant, or your outcomes are not meeting your goals, rethink your work and communication processes and try new ones.

Keep in mind that technological problems may occur—for various reasons, e-mail messages, discussion posts, and/or attachments may not be delivered properly. If you have not heard or received something from a teammate on time, try to find out whether that person is having technological problems before assuming that he or she is simply not responding.