Here is a scene from the movie The Devil Wears Prada to better reflect on how to give constructive feedback, so on the on the difference between destructive and constructive feedback.

PLOT
The recently-graduated Andrea Sachs wants to be a journalist. Unexpectedly, she is hired as junior personal assistant to Miranda Priestly, the extremely influential director of the prestigious fashion magazine, Runway. Aiming to put up with it for a year before moving to the editorial staff, Andy accepts the director’s “diabolical” proposal and submits herself to all kinds of harassment on her part.

In the chosen scene you will see two very different pieces of feedback given to Andrea:

  • in the first, Miranda expresses her disappointment that Andrea was not able to book a flight for her in time;
  • in the second Nigel says that Andrea’s approach to work and behaviour is very different to that expected by the fashion magazine.

Here’s the first part of the scene (0:00 - 1:22) 

Here’s the second part of the scene

The Devil Wears Prada, D. Frankel, USA, 2006, 20th Century Fox (00:29:03 - 00:33:57)

  • What are the individual elements that make Miranda’s feedback ineffective?
  • What consequences does/will inefficient feedback have on Andrea and Miranda’s relationship in your opinion? Both on Andrea’s emotional state and her flexibility regarding changing approach.
  • What are the individual elements that make Nigel’s feedback more effective?
  • What consequences does/will efficient feedback have on Andrea and Nigel’s relationship in your opinion? Both on Andrea’s emotional state and her flexibility regarding changing approach.