Leveraging the Performance Feedback Loop

During the expert session, Anne Parker engages the audience through interactive exercises using the Mentimeter app, as well as a Q&A session. Audience members are encouraged to reflect on their own feedback abilities and engage in a performance feedback loop.

• Mastering Effective Feedback: Regularly asking for and giving well-prepared feedback fosters growth and development in the workplace.
• Building a Constructive Feedback Culture: Gaining agreement before initiating conversations and focusing on recognition can lead to productive and positive feedback interactions.
• Enhancing Communication Skills: Understanding different listening levels and practicing attentive listening, empathy, and clear communication are essential for effective feedback delivery.

This expert session discusses the significance of effective communication skills, specifically focusing on  active listening and providing constructive feedback in the workplace.

The concept of the Johari Window, is introduced as a model for understanding interpersonal communication. This model divides our awareness into four areas: Open Area (known to ourselves and others), Hidden Area (known to ourselves but not others), Blind Spot (known to others but not ourselves), and Unknown Area (unknown to both).

The session discusses several levels of listening skills  – ignoring, pretending, selective, attentive, and empathetic. Throughout the session you are encouraged to self-assess in order to determine our usual listening habits in the workplace and make improvements as needed.

To provide effective feedback, it's important to assess your current ability through regular practice, managing reactions, delivering feedback at appropriate moments, recognizing good performance, setting clear contexts, and using the language of performance instead of criticism. It's recommended to establish a performance feedback loop with colleagues for mutual growth.

The session concludes with resources for further learning and inviting questions from the audience.

Developing Cultural Agility

The topic of culture can sometimes seem dry or theoretical, however in reality we all have a natural ability to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds and we do this everyday unaware of the skills and tools we are using. In this session we bring a fresh approach to culture, focusing on developing your natural ability to adapt to different people into a concious cultural agility to connect, understand and be understood.

The focus of this session is to show you a simple framework that enables you to analyse the person in front of you, building on your own social skills and experience, and identify what is important to them culturally and then be able to choose from a range of practical strategies to improve your communication.