Introducing the GAIN framework for feedback: an evidence-based approach to giving feedback that people love, appreciate, and act on

Sep 30, 2025

Discover the GAIN framework, a transformative approach to giving feedback that enhances relationships. Learn why feedback can feel daunting and how to shift that dynamic. Explore the importance of focusing on Goals, Actions, Impacts, and Next steps for effective communication. Hear a live case study illustrating how to address micromanagement constructively. Gain insights on using emotions to clarify feedback intentions and the value of dialogue in feedback conversations. Plus, tips on using AI to hone your feedback skills!

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ANECDOTE

Two Colleagues, Same Content, Different Impact

Lenny contrasts two colleagues whose feedback produced opposite feelings despite similar content.
One drained him while the other left him elated, illustrating how framing and delivery change outcomes.

insights

INSIGHT

Gain Is A Goal-First Feedback Frame

Frame feedback around future gains, not only current pains, to increase receptivity.
GAIN stands for Goal, Actions, Impacts, Next actions and captures what makes feedback effective.

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ADVICE

Translate Reactions Into GAIN Before Speaking

Translate raw reactions into the GAIN structure before speaking to make feedback actionable.
State the goal, cite the observed actions, describe impacts, and request a concrete next action.

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Why feedback feels hard and learnable

01:13 • 2min

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Overview of the GAIN framework

03:22 • 57sec

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How to translate raw reactions into GAIN

04:18 • 1min

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Using emotions to clarify feedback goals

05:42 • 2min

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GAIN's research foundations and framing effects

07:27 • 3min

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Case study: Handling a micromanaging founder

10:47 • 5min

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How to open with a motivating goal

15:32 • 4min

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Make feedback a dialogue, not a monologue

19:08 • 2min

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Describe actions and impacts, not judgments

21:01 • 5min

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Acknowledge your own contribution

25:41 • 2min

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Co-create clear next actions and experiments

28:01 • 5min

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Use the 3 Ws and schedule check-ins

32:32 • 1min

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How AI can help prepare feedback

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Radical Candor by Kim Scott offers a practical approach to management by emphasizing the importance of caring personally and challenging directly. The book argues that effective managers must find a balance between being empathetic and providing clear, honest feedback. Scott draws from her experiences at Google and Apple to provide actionable lessons on building strong relationships, giving feedback, and creating a collaborative work environment. The book introduces the concept of 'radical candor' as the sweet spot between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy, and provides tools and strategies for managers to implement this approach in their daily work.

If you’re a premium subscriber, add the private feed to your podcast app at add.lennysreads.comIf feedback is a gift, why does it often feel so difficult?

In this episode, we break down executive coach Jack Cohen’s evidence-based GAIN framework - a simple, memorable way to give feedback that actually lands.

Whether you manage a team or want to nudge a peer, this is a step-by-step playbook for feedback that strengthens relationships, drives behavior change, and leaves people feeling supported and motivated to change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why we struggle to give tough feedback

• How “start with the Goal” flips defensiveness into motivation

• Why great feedback names Actions and Impacts, not judgments

• How acknowledging your contribution disarms resistance

• Scripts that make tough conversations feel collaborative

• A framing that helps preserve ambition and psychological safety

• A Stanford-tested “wise feedback” sentence that boosts follow-through

• The 3 Ws framework to lock in change

• A live case study: a VP uses GAIN to unwind a founder’s micromanaging habit

References:

• Amy Edmondson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson/

• “Breaking the cycle of mistrust: Wise interventions to provide critical feedback across the racial divide”: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-28213-001

• Brian Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-e-martin-50575a2b/

• Carol Dweck: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-dweck-4618236/

• Cycle of conflict or cycle of connection?: https://speakerdeck.com/jackcohen/cycle-of-conflict-or-cycle-of-connection

• FeedbackGPT: https://maven.com/p/6f79f8/feedback-gpt-give-feedback-people-thank-you-for

• “Framing for Learning: Lessons in Successful Technology Implementation: https://www.notion.so/27d43d3a2709810a9f8de040eea2b01a?pvs=21”

• How to become a supermanager with AI: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-become-a-supermanager-with

• How to motivate your team for free: https://actionablewisdom.beehiiv.com/p/how-to-motivate-your-team-for-free

• Jack Cohen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackadamcohen/

• John Gottman: https://www.gottman.com/author/john-gottman-ph-d/

• ManagerGPT: The AI Tools and Human Systems to Scale Yourself and Your Team Fast: https://maven.com/actionablefeedback/managergpt

• Nischal Nadhamuni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishchaln/

• Nonviolent Communication (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X

• “On the elicitation of preferences for alternative therapies”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7070445/

• “Praise for intelligence can undermine children's motivation and performance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9686450/”

• Radical Candor (book): https://www.amazon.ca/Radical-Candor-Kick-Ass-Without-Humanity/dp/1250103509

• Satya Nadella: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyanadella/

• Sheryl Sandberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sandberg-5126652/

• Slack: https://slack.com/

• Stanford University: https://www.stanford.edu/

• Tal Raviv: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talsraviv/

• “The effectiveness of the “But-you-are-free” technique: Meta-analysis and re-examination of the technique: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344807911_The_effectiveness_of_the_But-you-are-free_technique_Meta-analysis_and_re-examination_of_the_technique”

• The Founder’s Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup (book): https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundation-Entrepreneurship/dp/0691158304

• The GAIN Feedback Template: https://maven.com/p/ad08cc/the-gain-feedback-template

• Read the newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/introducing-the-gain-framework-for

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