📝 Notes

Why is it so important to be skilled at giving critical feedback? 

• It's essential if you're going to work well together over the longer term. 

• Need to ensure everyone understands standards; getting continuous feedback enables the team to hit goals and keep improving as individuals.

How can new managers develop their skills in this area? 

• Remember that you don't always have all the information; ensure you don't have a misinterpretation of the context for any observed behaviors. 

• Provide feedback immediately (or at least very soon) after noticing the behavior (also ensures if you have misinformation, it is cleared up quickly) 

• Give critical feedback in private (avoids embarrassment or awkwardness) 

• Ask the recipient how they think things went - it gives them a chance to provide full context.

• Describe what you saw & the impact (e.g., how it influenced the meeting and the person's credibility, etc.). 

• Talk about how you would avoid the situation in the future and how you would do it differently (both manager & direct report); how can you as a manager help the person stay accountable to commitments and allow them to practice skill sets. 

• Pair negative feedback with positive feedback & recognition; see the situation holistically - pull out what did work and what the person did well (but don't fabricate it)