Delivering difficult feedback
Context Delivering difficult feedback is one of the most challenging aspects of being a manager, especially a new one. Many managers, even experienced ones, struggle with delivering feedback - the results of which can be damaging to the individual concerned, the team, and even the wider organisation. Delivering difficult feedback and delivering it well, therefore, is crucial - both for an individual’s growth and for the team and/or company’s success. There are many ways to deliver difficult feedback badly. Because people find it hard to deliver difficult feedback, they often take missteps (all be them potentially well-intentioned). We know delivering difficult feedback is uncomfortable, challenging and difficult to get right. So, how can we get it right? Like many aspects of management, the best way to learn how to do something well is to try different methods out, reflect on them, and learn how to do better next time. This may include making some monumental screw-ups along t...