At DBC we have this really cool thing they call the "Feedbackinator". It allows me to do the following:
- Give feedback to people I pair with.
- Get feedback from people I pair with
- Give feedback on other peoples' feedback
- Get feedback about the feedback I give others
Very "meta". In fact, they call it "meta" feedback! Ha! What's neat about it is I get to see how I'm doing in my work AND in how I give feedback. So far, everyone seems to like working with me and has some small criticism that I can easily implement. I can be a very strong personality and can steamroll others... that comes from having worked in theatre ensembles filled with strong opinions. We will see how this characterstic of myself manifests throughout the program, or adapts! Either way, so far my experience with giving and receiving feedback has been very positive. It also sort of keeps me and others in check so that we don't do anything rude or disrespectful. It definitely encourages me to be more patient, and I appreciate that immenseley.
I think the drawback to this is that we get so used to such a productive way to work, that we then get into a situation where a person may not necessarily want to hear the feedback or be at all receptive to it. This discussion came up with a former roommate who constantly engaged in giving feedback and was very open to receiving it. It was a great attribute about him, but also alienated the other roommates who weren't so prepared to get his feedback or to openly give him any. I guess it depends on the environment and who is participating. Anyway, I'm thankful that I'm in that environment now with my cohorts!