Why Clear Feedback Matters
In many places, people hesitate to give honest feedback. They fear it might hurt relationships or be misunderstood.
Vague comments do little to help colleagues grow.
Without clear communication, misunderstandings build up and performance issues remain unresolved. This is why improving communication skills for feedback is essential in any team.
What is the FFC Technique?
FFC Technique is a communication skill often used in feedback to provide constructive criticism or praise effectively.
FFC stands for:
- Fact – Describe what actually happened.
- Feeling – Share how it made you or the team feel.
- Consequence – Explain the impact or outcome of the action.
By following these three steps, conversations stay focused on behavior rather than personality. This structure supports better workplace communication and helps both sides stay engaged in finding solutions.
Breaking Down the Core Idea
Here's a breakdown of each component:
Feeling
The first step is to express your feelings or emotions to the person you're providing feedback to.
It's important to start by acknowledging and articulating the emotions involved, whether positive or negative. This helps establish empathy and understanding.
Fact
The feeling is intangible after all, so in the second step, you need to provide factual information or observations related to the "feelings" you made in step one.
Stick to concrete examples and avoid making subjective judgments or assumptions. Presenting facts helps ground the feedback in reality and makes it more tangible for the recipient.
Comparison
In the final step, you may offer a comparison or contrast to illustrate your point further. This could involve comparing the current situation to a previous one, contrasting it with an ideal scenario, or comparing it to the expectations or standards that are relevant to the context.
Comparisons can help clarify expectations and provide context for improvement.
