How to Provide Honest Feedback with Compassion

Why is feedback often resisted? 🤔 I often see people get defensive when receiving feedback and shy away from giving feedback. Feedback is a GIFT.   When done well, it can be a huge support in strengthening a relationship.  The best way to share feedback is to INVITE it. 5 SIMPLE STEPS TO SHARE FEEDBACK EFFECTIVELY: 1) Ensure the receiver is in a good energy space 2) Share it soon after you notice the behavior so you have a fresh example 3) Don’t direct the feedback at the person, inquire around what you were noticing they might have been experiencing so they have a chance to share their perspective.  For example, “I noticed you seemed a little uncomfortable in that customer meeting...how were you feeling?” This helps make it less personal so the receiver doesn’t immediately get defensive and feel ashamed that they did something wrong. Any change is also more likely to happen if it comes from the person themselves recognizing it and desiring it based on how they felt. 4) Navigate how you proceed depending on their response and share openly why you are asking #3 5) Ask for permission & start with the positive. Then, after they share their perspective, see if they are open to receiving some feedback from you on what you observed.  For example, I love how you opened the meeting by creating some positive energy with the customer.  It made me feel energized too and I felt a greater connection being formed.  Like you just shared with me, I too noticed you feeling uncomfortable with the materials you wanted to present.  Is there anything I can do to support you in that prep so you feel more confident in the next meeting? The key to effective feedback is to create a space where someone doesn’t feel attacked and takes something super personal. Couch the constructive in the positive. Not shying away from feedback and delivering it well is critical to build trust, connection, grow, and positively move forward together, both in business & in life! Thoughts? When have you experienced feedback that you took and it made a positive impact on you and your relationships? What did you learn that can help others? 👇 #PersonalDevelopment #Communication #EmotionalIntelligence

I hate confrontation. Keeping the peace is a good thing. Except when it means avoiding difficult conversations or giving critical feedback. And one of the worst things you can do is delay this type of conversation. So when I need to give feedback or have a difficult conversation, I do the following: 1. I think about how I want them to feel. Beginning with the end in mind is helpful in many ways, especially when giving feedback. This approach helps me to structure the conversation with empathy. 2. Begin the conversation with openness and curiosity. How did we get here? How might the other person be feeling? 3. Be direct and respectful. Address the topic head-on and be as clear and unemotional as possible. 4. Listen more than I talk. Once the direct part is out of the way, open the floor to hear what the other person is thinking and feeling. 5. Remember that this conversation is positive — giving feedback or having a hard conversation can build trust, improve a relationship, and help the other person be successful. It's easy to think that things will go badly. But clarity, empathy, and listening can go a long way. What would you add? How do you approach difficult conversations?

They call it "soft skills" to make you ignore it. But EQ is your hardest competitive edge. For years, I wondered why my input wasn't valued the same way others' was. Same credentials. Same experience. Different results. Then I realized: I was focused on being impressive instead of being influential. Here's what (actually) builds influence at work 💡 1) Ask what they need before offering what you know ↳ "What's your biggest concern about this?" then tailor your response 2) Create psychological safety before delivering tough news ↳ "I'm bringing this up because I respect our partnership" 3) Use silence as your secret weapon ↳ After making your point, stop talking. Let it land. 4) Address the unspoken concern first ↳ "I know some might think this is too aggressive, but here's why..." 5) Frame feedback as curiosity, not criticism ↳ "I'm curious about your experience with..." 6) Make your boundaries feel like respect, not rejection ↳ "To give this the attention it deserves, I'll need until Friday" 7) End difficult conversations with clarity, not comfort ↳ "Here's what I heard... here's what happens next" Your expertise gets you invited to conversations. Your emotional intelligence makes people listen. Which shift will you try today? -- ♻️ Repost to help your network build influence that lasts 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for EQ strategies that create real impact

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 As children, we are taught to always be honest. To never tell a lie. The story of “Pinocchio,” taught us the dire consequences of lying as the puppet’s nose kept getting longer with each untruth. But we all lie. We just don’t think about it in those terms. Unadulterated honesty can be brutal. White lies can be a way of showing kindness and compassion. But they can also be a lazy excuse for not wanting to take accountability. Motivation is at the heart of whether we get a pass on telling a fib. We need to stop for a moment and ask whether the truth will hurt another in an unkind, unnecessary way. For instance, when asked whether I like a friend’s new spiked haircut there is no redeeming value in letting her know that I hate it. It doesn’t matter and it’s unkind. On the other hand, if an employee asks me for feedback on a project and I think it was a mediocre job, I’m doing no one any favors by praising it. I owe it to that employee to give him honest feedback. It can still be stated in a kind and respectful way. The first example is about kindness. The second is about accountability. I still remember a board presentation I gave years ago. It was my first time presenting to the board, as I had recently been promoted to a senior role. I was nervous and it showed. The CEO pulled me aside after the meeting and said “The board will never have confidence in you if you appear nervous. You know the material. Talk to them as peers. Don’t be intimidated.” That was great feedback. The next time I relaxed and nailed it; he told me so. Giving honest feedback is an investment in someone else. It requires time and effort. Avoiding feedback or sugar-coating it to make someone feel better in the short run doesn’t help them in the long run. Honest feedback delivered with kindness and positive intent is more likely to be processed and heard. It helps us grow as people and as professionals. It’s a gift. #honestymatters #feedback #professionalgrowth #photographyislife #photography "𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘴," Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 2023

Feedback can sting. It can bruise our egos and make us defensive (my ego was bruised in the picture when my daughter wasn't feeling my kisses 🤣). But feedback often serves as a compass pointing us towards growth, highlighting blind spots we can't see ourselves. Why feedback is essential: - Illuminates areas for improvement: Feedback shines a spotlight on our weaknesses, offering us a roadmap for self-improvement. -Fuels professional development: Constructive criticism catalyzes learning and mastering new skills. -Enhances self-awareness: Feedback provides valuable insights into how others perceive our actions and behaviors. 💡But feedback must be delivered with empathy: ✅Focus on the behavior, not the person: Instead of saying, "You're always late," try "I've noticed you've been late to several meetings recently. Is everything okay?" ✅Use "I" statements: Frame your feedback as observations rather than accusations. For example, "I felt unheard during our last meeting" instead of "You never listen to me." ✅Offer specific examples: Vague feedback is unhelpful. Provide concrete examples to illustrate your points. ✅End on a positive note: Acknowledge the person's strengths and express your confidence in their ability to improve. Remember: Feedback isn't a personal attack. It's an opportunity for growth. But it takes an open mind and a willingness to listen to truly benefit from it. So, the next time you receive feedback, take a deep breath, set aside your ego, and listen for the gems hidden within. You might be surprised at what you discover. #feedback #personaldevelopment #empathy #growthmindset #professionaldevelopment