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Good vs. bad feedback: what makes the difference?

Feedback

Feedback is a powerful tool for personal and professional development. But not all feedback leads to success. The difference between good and bad feedback can be crucial to how effectively someone learns and develops. Especially in a Toastmasters club, where giving and receiving feedback is central, it is important to understand the difference between good and bad feedback.

Good feedback is constructive, specific, and motivating.

Constructiveness
Good feedback is always constructive. It focuses on how to improve rather than just criticizing. The emphasis is on helping the speaker realize his or her potential. Rather than pointing out mistakes, it shows how to do it better. In a Toastmasters club, this means that the feedback giver tries to emphasize the positive, while making helpful suggestions for further development.

Specificity
Good feedback is specific and relevant to the situation. Rather than making general statements such as ‘That was good’ or ‘That was bad’, it describes exactly what went well and what could be improved. In a Toastmasters club, instead of saying ‘You should speak louder’, it might be ‘Your voice was very loud in the first few minutes of your speech, but it became quieter towards the end, making it harder to follow’.

Motivation
Good feedback should encourage and motivate the receiver to continue. It should boost their confidence and make them feel that they are on the right track. In a Toastmasters club, this can mean providing feedback in a positive and supportive way so that the speaker approaches the next speech with even more energy and enthusiasm.

Bad Feedback: Destructive, Vague and Demotivating

Destructive criticism:
Bad feedback can be destructive if it focuses only on mistakes and discourages the speaker. If the feedback gives the impression that the speaker ‘did everything wrong’ and does not offer any concrete suggestions for improvement, it can be very demotivating. In a Toastmasters club, feedback should never be given in this way, as it could undermine the speaker’s confidence and prevent him from working on himself.

Vague feedback:
Poor feedback is often vague and superficial. Statements such as “That was OK” or “That was not good” do not help the speaker because they are too general and do not give specific advice on how to improve. In a Toastmasters club, it is important that feedback is detailed and based on specific observations so that the speaker clearly understands what he or she needs to work on.

A demotivating tone:)
Bad feedback can also be demotivating if it is given in a negative tone. For example, if the feedback giver is condescending or gives the impression that the speaker has little potential, the feedback is more likely to be perceived as an attack than as helpful support. In a Toastmasters club, the tone of feedback should always be respectful and supportive to build the speaker’s confidence.

How Toastmasters encourages good feedback
In a Toastmasters club, giving and receiving feedback is a central part of every meeting. Great emphasis is placed on ensuring that feedback is constructive, specific and motivating. Feedback givers are encouraged to focus on the speaker’s strengths, while making clear, actionable suggestions for improvement. This approach ensures that members can develop in a positive and supportive environment.

Toastmasters also offers special roles, such as the ‘evaluating speaker’, whose role is to provide feedback in a way that helps the speaker to develop. This role teaches members how to give appreciative, accurate and constructive feedback that helps the speaker stay motivated and continue to work on their skills.


The value of good feedback in Toastmasters.
Good feedback is a critical factor for growth and improvement, especially in a Toastmasters club. It is constructive, specific, and motivating – it helps speakers identify their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Bad feedback, on the other hand, can be destructive, vague, demotivating and can hinder the learning process.


In Toastmasters, members learn to provide feedback in a way that is not only effective but also encouraging. This creates a learning environment in which all participants feel safe and are willing to continually improve. As a member of a Toastmasters club, you will experience how powerful and transformative good feedback can be – it is the fuel that drives you to excellence.