Why should I give feedback?

When should I provide feedback?

• There is no answer set in stone, but the general answer is that you should provide feedback frequently.
• It is helpful to provide feedback on a regular basis so your mentee doesn't get bogged down pursuing the wrong path in his or her research or professional development.
• Feedback should be given on a timely basis. It is not helpful to provide feedback about a behavior or research method long after the behavior has occurred or the experiment has been completed.
• Prompt and frequent feedback will go a long way toward cementing your relationship.

How do I give constructive and effective feedback?

• The most important element in providing effective feedback is establishing an atmosphere of mutual trust and regard. When a feeling of trust has been created, it is easier both to give and to accept feedback.
• Make sure that the mentee understands that you are working toward a mutual goal – the mentee's success. Providing and receiving feedback can be a very positive experience for the mentor and the mentee as long as you both understand that you share the same commitment to developing the mentee's career.
• When you give feedback, it is important to acknowledge the mentee's accomplishments and successes along with the areas in which he or she needs to improve.
• You should always be specific in providing feedback. It is not terribly helpful to say, "Your work is sloppy.'' It is much more useful to describe the specific element of work that concerns you.
• Keep the feedback simple. When planning to give feedback, decide on a small number of areas that you want to cover. You don't want to create a shopping list of faults that could overwhelm and discourage the mentee.
• If a mentee is falling behind in his or her work, don't automatically assume a lack of commitment. Explore with your mentee what is really going on.
• When providing feedback, offer to work with your mentee to develop solutions to any problems that he or she is encountering.

How do I set up a feedback conversation?

• First, e-mail or call your mentee to make an appointment and let your mentee know what the meeting is about. There is no quicker way to dissolve the atmosphere of trust than by "sandbagging" your mentee.
• Hold the meeting in your office or other private space – never provide negative feedback in an open area with others around.
• While you are giving feedback, maintain eye contact and a measured tone. Some mentees need a bit of gentleness so as not to get discouraged.
• If your mentee wants to respond to your feedback, let him or her do so and actively listen to his or her thoughts and words. At the same time, be prepared to give your mentee some space. He or she might be upset and not prepared to discuss the issues right then and there.

What do I do while I am receiving feedback?

• Listen while your mentor is giving feedback, and wait until he or she is finished before you respond.
• Make sure you understand the feedback. It's useful to paraphrase the feedback to your mentor to ensure that you captured the intended meaning. Ask the mentor to clarify or to be more specific if he or she has not been. Or ask for strategies to resolve the issues and work together to develop solutions.
• Try not to be defensive. Your mentor is trying to help you succeed. If you're feeling defensive, it might be a good idea to ask if you can make an appointment to discuss the feedback later, after you've had time to consider it. You don't want to continue the conversation while you are upset. It's best to have a cooling down period. You also don't want to ask your mentor to defend the feedback, since feedback generally involves subjective perceptions and opinions.
• Finally, whether you agree with the feedback or not, thank your mentor for his or her time and for being helpful to you.

What if I get feedback that I don't agree with?

• Step back a bit. It's useful to consider the feedback calmly and to think about it in the overall context of moving forward in your career. An important element of receiving feedback is evaluating it, but evaluate it without emotion.
• Ask a trusted peer for his or her point of view or to talk with another mentor.
• While your mentor has more experience and expertise than you have, the decision about whether or not to use the feedback is ultimately your own. If you decide not to use the feedback, let your mentor know and tell her or him your reasons. Your mentoring relationship is long-term, and you don't want to jeopardize it by alienating your mentor.
• Your mentor may want to give you additional feedback. Listen to it and think about it before you finalize your decision. And if you decide not to use the feedback at this time, keep the feedback in mind, since it may make more sense to you down the road.

This section adapted with permission from the Institute for Clinical Research Education Mentoring Resources, University of Pittsburgh. Learn more about PITT ICRE Mentoring.