Critical Feedback
Whenever you have critical feedback to share, it’s always important to make sure that you are focused on removing any big feelings you may have and focus on being specific about what you noticed and the impact it has on the organization. Here’s a formula you can use to help you communicate critical feedback effectively:
OBSERVATION:
Specific thing that you observed or noticed
This is a fact, it cannot be disputed
Examples:
Yesterday, you missed our 1:1 meeting and did not warn me.
On Thursday, the financial report was due but I didn’t receive it.
I just saw a contract that you signed for $50K, I was not aware this was happening.
IMPACT:
How is this impacting the organization?
What ripples does this decision or action have on the company?
Examples:
I was sitting and waiting for you for 15 minutes. I had three pressing issues [fill in specifics] I needed to address that I could have dealt with during that time and didn’t because I was waiting for you.
The board of directors was expecting that document so that they had enough time to review it in advance of our upcoming board meeting. We really need their advice to shape our strategy…
I had not allocated $50K for that purpose so now we will have to take $50K away from the budget for [this other thing] to compensate.
NEED FOR ACTION:
This cannot happen again.
What’s your action plan to rectify this situation and prevent this from happening in the future?
Examples:
Talk me through how you manage your schedule to ensure that you won’t miss a 1:1 meeting again. What needs to change so that you don’t lose track of time?
Explain to me how you track your projects and tasks. How do we make sure that you don’t miss a deadline again? What do you need to do differently?
You do not have the authority to make financial decisions of this magnitude without my approval. What process are you going to take, moving forward, to involve me in advance of any financial transitions?