Networking is the art and science of creating a group of acquaintances and associates and being in constant touch with them through regular communication for mutual benefit. Networking, as a soft skill, can immensely help in the development of interpersonal and communication skills and thus in the advancement of one’s career. This paper discusses the ABCs of networking and how successful networking skills can help one grow as a person, employee, entrepreneur, and/or businessperson.No communication process is complete without feedback from the listener to the sender. Especially, in organizations where supervisors have to often talk to their subordinates and give them feedback on how to improve their performance, the art of giving effective feedback becomes very important. From simple aspects such as improving communication effectiveness to enhancing performance appraisal effectiveness, feedback is an essential part of interactions between people in any organization. This paper looks at not only a few simple tips that one can keep on top of one’s mind when giving feedback but also how to handle different reactions from others while giving them feedback.

Making others listen and accept your feedback is a huge task in itself. It is because, by nature, most people do not like getting feedback and even prefer not to listen (Figure 1) to the same and much less, follow it to get benefitted. Which is why, when one listens and acts on any feedback, it gives a sense of satisfaction to the person choosing to give feedback.

The question is, how to give feedback in such a way that others listen. Here is a simple way to remember how to give feedback: just remember the word feedback!

Soft Skills Journal, Enhancing performance appraisal effectiveness, Environment, Decisions, Behavior, Appreciate, Giving Feedback, In a Timely Manner