Feedback - Mba Course

Feedback

Ernest Munoz

Northwood University, Cedar Hill

Leadership MBA-612

Tara Peters, Ph.D.

November 8, 2015

Abstract

        This paper will cover some of the course concepts that pertain to feedback and how we use it in the workplace. As individuals we need to be open to feedback because it teaches us our strengths and weaknesses. As we climb the corporate ladder we will need to understand better the value and good methods of providing constructive feedback. Not all feedback is positive, however, it should always start with the intent of being helpful.

        During one of our MBA sessions we did small group exercises on feedback. The scenario that my group used was a scenario where a female coworker was dressing inappropriately. The sender was playing the role of a supervisor and the receiver played the role of the female employee. Additionally, my role was to be in observer to the exchange of dialogue and to provide the class with a summary of the feedback that was given to the female employee.

        Our small group did very well with this exercise because of several key components. From the beginning the sender put the receiver at ease with acknowledgment of how good of a worker she is and how highly he regarded her. Secondly, the sender was very direct and specific with his concern of what generated the need for him to provide feedback to his subordinate. In the course Materials one of the recommendations for providing effective feedback it Is to focus on the specific behavior. Feedback is only useful in changing or maintaining discrete behaviors (Davidson, 2001).

        Next, our sender discussed the impact the perceived behavior was having Honda’s employees otherwise stellar reputation and performance. Her choice in wardrobe was causing distraction amongst her peers and disruption in the workplace. The sender explained that her choice in outfits was beginning to reflect poorly on the type of person she really is. He acknowledged that she was a respectable woman who works very hard and is of great value to our team. The course material discusses impact of the behavior into categories:  situational and personal. (Davidson, 2001)