Aim for a four-to-one feedback ratio

After a leader turns around the performance of one of his direct reports, he and his coach explore how it happened. And how to make it stick.  

Core ideas in the episode:

• Workplaces improve when positive feedback is present
• Our natural human negative bias is a barrier to giving positive feedback.
• Learn to notice when things go well.
• Tell people how they are helping solve the puzzle that is work.
• Research says the most effective feedback ratio is 4-to-1, positive to developmental.

Positive Feedback might sound like this:

1. Recognize what’s going well – and be specific
2. Appreciate how it’s helping solve the puzzle
3. Express your thanks

Developmental Feedback might sound like this:

1. Describe what happened – and be specific
2. Explain how it affects the puzzle solving effort
3. Express your hope for a different outcome

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If you’re thinking about coaching for yourself, or for someone on your team, let’s talk. tom@essentialcomm.com.

This episode is tagged in three categories in our podcast library:

Managing Yourself

Perception – How You Perceive Others

Relationship Building

Related episodes to listen to are:

146 - Building Empathy

119 - Creating Devoted Followers

212 - How to Coach Your People

255 - How to Deepen Relationships at Work

260 - How to Guarantee Psychological Safety

Thanks, as always, for your reviews!

Until next time, thanks so much for listening.

From The Look & Sound of Leadership team