What Did You Say?: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback [Hardcover]

Charles N. Seashore (Author), Edith Whitfield Seashore (Author), Gerald M. Weinberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Offering opinions is the second most necessary ingredient for human life. Studies show that we can go only three minutes without air, perhaps three days without water, maybe three weeks without food. . . and but three hours without offering somebody our suggestions, responses, or critiques. A perennial "hot" topic in management circles is the process of giving, getting and analyzing advice. This brief and engaging book can be of use to anyone who has to interact with other people. You'll enjoy the "read" so much that you may not realize how much you have gained - all in words of one syllable! How to offer feedback when asked (or hired) to do so. Why feedback tells more about the giver than the receiver. How feedback is distorted or resisted by the receiver's point of view and defense mechanisms. And in dozens of enjoyable vignettes, how humans have struggled to understand each others' responses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I had several 'ahas' reading this clear and entertaining excursion into everyday interactions. Feedback should be given sparingly and taken thoughtfully - with a grain of salt. That's one (of many) useful messages demonstrated here. --Marvin Weisbord, author Productive Workplaces

This is a how-to book about relationships with depth, humor and insight far beyond the ordinary. (The authors) deal masterfully with the contradictory impulses we all feel to 'say it like it is' or flee in terror. --Barbara Benedict Bunker, Organizational Consultant, Professor, SUNY at Buffalo

The authors of this wonderful book have untangled and demythologized feedback! --Elsie Y. Cross, CEO, Elsie Y. Cross Associates

About the Author

Charles Seashore is a faculty member in the Fielding Graduate Institute doctoral program in Human and Organization Development and has an active practice as an organization development consultant. He and Edie teach together in the American University/NTL Institute Masters Degree Program in Organization Development. Charlie is a past board chair of the NTL Institute. Edie Seashore is a past president of the NTL Institute and was a co-founder of the American University/NTL Institute Masters Degree Program in Organization Development. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Organization Development Network. She co-authored Triple Impact Consulting and co-edited The Promise of Diversity. She maintains an active practice as an organization development consultant. Jerry (Gerald M.) Weinberg has worked for the past half century on transforming high tech organizations. His books cover all phases of the product development life cycle as well as consulting and technical leader development. His many books include The Psychology of Computer Programming, Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting, Quality Software Management, and More Secrets of Consulting.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 211 pages
• Publisher: Bingham House Books; Twelfth printing edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965043002
• ISBN-13: 978-0965043007
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Psychology in One Lesson: "What Did You Say...", August 29, 2001

By 

"rrratfink" (Castle Rock, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Did You Say?: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback (Hardcover)

If I had the power to transport one book back in time and send it to myself, this would be the one. This is the book I needed when I became a people manager. It's also the book I needed when I began to raise my kids. In fact, I can't think of a time in my life when I did not wish I had more of the skills this book teaches. A simple but very deep book that causes a new level of understanding about how to talk to people with each reading. The authors draw on the best ideas from the great psychologists and show how to use them practically in everyday interactions. The short volume is easy to read and full of examples that can be immediately applied. In my humble opinion, this book is indespensible when managing people at work and managing close relationships at home. The conversational and entertaining style is a plus.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have - Must Read Book, August 23, 2002

By 

Roberta Hill (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Did You Say?: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback (Hardcover)

Here is my bias - this is a must have book for anyone in the coaching, management consulting, facilitation or training business. In fact it is a must read for everyone. The authors follow a sensible and clear route that would be a benefit to any reader. It is small, easy to read and powerful. The vignettes display excellent examples and the exercises at the end of each short chapter are practical. The italics of fantasy and fact regarding "feedback" makes for an even faster read. You can browse through it quickly to find the passages where you wish to focus.

The book is short and sweet enough but you can find it completely summarized in three pages in the Epilogue. If it sounds as if there isn't much meat to this book, think again. It is deceptively challenging but not daunting. It makes a great reference book that I like to come back to time and time again.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have - Must Read Book, August 23, 2002

By 

Roberta Hill (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Did You Say?: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback (Hardcover)

Here is my bias - this is a must have book for anyone in the coaching, management consulting, facilitation or training business. In fact it is a must read for everyone. The authors follow a sensible and clear route that would be a benefit to any reader. It is small, easy to read and powerful. The vignettes display excellent examples and the exercises at the end of each short chapter are practical. The italics of fantasy and fact regarding "feedback" makes for an even faster read. You can browse through it quickly to find the passages where you wish to focus.

The book is short and sweet enough but you can find it completely summarized in three pages in the Epilogue. If it sounds as if there isn't much meat to this book, think again. It is deceptively challenging but not daunting. It makes a great reference book that I like to come back to time and time again.