Hey future diplomats!
Here we will be talking about something most first-timers miss but veterans know very well: the feedback and hidden criteria. Because trust me, what is scribbled on that EB sheet is not always the full story.
I sometimes feel EBs are like fortune cookies, short, cryptic, and always leaving you wondering, “What do I have to do with this?” Yeah, I know… I can relate. But now that I have the experience, I thought of sharing the secrets with you too. After all, we don’t do solo missions here; we are more of a squad goals or bust type of fam.
When EB gives you feedback, they are not trying to sound fancy. Instead, they are nudging you toward becoming a better delegate. Such feedbacks can help you go a long way.
- Feedback is like your personal progress report. They help track our growth. It shows you where you started and how far you’ve come, making it easier to set goals for your next conference. Without it, you would never really know if you are improving or just repeating old habits.
- Sometimes we don’t notice our own weaknesses or blind spots, but EBs do. Honest feedback helps you reflect, recognize patterns, and polish the skills that make you stand out in committee.
But like any good teacher, mentor, or coach, there are some things they notice that do not always make it to written feedback. We will call them “hidden criteria.” They are not top-secret, but these soft skills are best understood when you see them in action.
- Confidence: The EB may write “work on delivery” in your feedback, but what they are really watching is whether you actually capture the room’s attention when you speak. They want to see that spark in your voice and body language that convinces people you are not just reading words, you believe in them, and you want to make others believe too.
- Interaction: When the EB tells you to “engage in more lobbying,” it is not just about wandering around the committee room with your laptop or notepad. It means collaborating, making alliances, and showing that you matter in the committee, especially during unmods. You have to prove you are not just sitting back, you are influencing outcomes and helping shape consensus.
- Speech Delivery: Sure, the EB notes down the clarity and structure of your speech, but they are also silently scoring how much energy you bring. Remember, a good speech is not just informative, it is the one that wakes up the room and makes people put their notes or phones down.
- Adaptability: This almost never shows up on paper, but trust me, EBs notice it in a big way. If the committee is hit by a sudden crisis, a failed resolution, or an unexpected twist, how do you react? Can you stay calm, switch gears, and keep your bloc together? Adaptability is leadership in disguise.
- Substance Over Style: Dramatic pauses and hand gestures are great, but without substance they do not stick. EBs respect delegates who back up speeches with solid research, real-world references, and practical solutions. Style catches attention, but substance wins respect.
So yes, feedback is definitely your guide. But the hidden criteria, delegates, are the EB’s way of shaping you into a real delegate. Do not ignore them, in fact use them for your next conference. Be the delegate who does not just speak, but leads. One who does not just participate, but inspires.
So the next time you walk into committee, do not just aim for good feedback. Aim to nail the hidden criteria. That is when you stop surviving MUNs and start owning them.
Thank you!
