Coburn Ventures Podcast #169: Mentoring & Reviews with Matt Wallaert - with a New Special Intro on Mistakes or Failure
Nov 30, 2023
In this discussion, behavioral scientist Matt Wallaert sheds light on the nuanced differences between coaching, performance reviews, and 1-on-1s. He emphasizes how mislabeling these interactions can demotivate employees. The conversation also highlights the importance of accountability and psychological safety in the workplace. Wallaert advocates for clear performance metrics and empathetic leadership, arguing that understanding diverse communication styles is crucial for effective team dynamics. His insights aim to make review season more constructive and less daunting.
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Review Job Function, Not Person
- Effective reviews focus on the job function's accountability and autonomy, not on judging the person.
- Achieving new accountabilities requires granting corresponding new autonomy to empower success.
Failure vs. Mistake Distinction
- Distinguish between failure (not achieving outcomes) and mistakes (process deviations or gaps).
- Mistakes arise from ignoring decided processes or identifying improvable gaps, not simply from failure to meet goals.
Decouple Coaching and Reviews
- Decouple coaching from reviews to clarify their distinct purposes and improve effectiveness.
- Use reviews to assess accountability and autonomy, not to judge personal skills or behaviors.