Three Steps for Giving Feedback With Compassionate Accountability

Honest, constructive feedback is critical for anyone in order to improve their performance. And, feedback is fraught with landmines. Have you experienced any of the following when giving or receiving feedback?

• Defensiveness
• Unsolicited advice
• Criticism
• Beating around the bush
• Condescending tone
• Focusing only on the negatives
• Lack of psychological safety

For feedback to work, it has to be delivered with Compassionate Accountability; which is the process of building connection WHILE getting results. By using the Compassion Mindset framework, we can identify the features of great feedback and how to do it well.

The Compassion Mindset has three switches, each one representing one necessary, but not sufficient, component of compassionate accountability. They all work together to create the best conditions for feedback to work.

Value

When giving feedback, treat people as valuable. What does this mean?

• Separate the person from the behavior. Never criticize the person’s integrity, character, or intentions; e.g. “What’s wrong with you.” or “Act like a leader.”
• Don’t lead with assumptions. If you are unsure why they did what they did, check in with them about it.
• Value their lived experience. Each person’s experiences are valid, even if you can’t relate.
• Empathize if you can relate.
• Share your motives for giving feedback, especially if you are experiencing emotional turmoil related to it. People feel a lot safer receiving feedback when they know why it matters to you and why you care.

Capability

When giving feedback, treat people as capable of making positive change and being part of the solution. What does this mean?

• Get permission. Unsolicited advice is nonconsensual helping. It undermines autonomy and agency.
• Make sure your feedback is constructive and developmental. Are you sharing something that can help them improve, grow, and learn? Or are you trying to tear them down?
• It’s OK to give specifics, but don’t dwell on what’s wrong.
• Build on strengths. Nothing builds confidence more than amplifying a strength.
• Be curious. You only know your experience, not theirs. They know their experience better than you do, so stay open-minded about what they might be able to contribute.
• It’s OK to ask curious questions, not leading questions. This isn’t a trial, so avoid questions where you’ve already made up your mind or are trying to trap someone, e.g. “Don’t you think you should have asked me first?” or “What were you thinking?”
• Above all, frame feedback as a joint process of reconnecting, finding common ground, and problem-solving together.

Responsibility

When giving feedback remember that you are 100% responsible for your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. No more, no less. And so is the other person. What does this mean?

• Avoid pointing fingers, blaming, or trying to corner someone, e.g. “You are the reason we keep failing.” Contrary to what you might think, isolating responsibility is the best way to invite defensiveness and undermine ownership.
• Manage your own feelings. If you aren’t in control of your own anxiety, fear, or uncertainty, you will likely project that onto others.
• It’s OK to appeal to boundaries, principles, and goals. These are the standards that help ensure excellence and continuous improvement.
• Avoid threats and ultimatums. Fear may work in the short term, but your employee will be looking for another job if it continues.
• Make new commitments. What will they do differently going forward? What will you do differently to support their success?

Compassionate Accountability Feedback Conversation Starters

See if you can identify where each Switch of The Compassion Mindset is turned on in these feedback conversation starters.

I’m feeling anxious about something. May I share what I observed yesterday at our meeting? It’s important to me that we keep communication open and honest between us. 

I can see how embarrassed you were earlier. I can relate. I have some information that might be helpful to understand what happened if you are interested. I’m committed to supporting your development here at ProcessCorp.

That was a rough game. I’ve got your back. I see a couple of things we could adjust, and I’m curious what you see. You are always so good at making adjustments. I’ll be sure to let you know when you are doing it right. What will you do differently in the next game?

I’m uncertain how to interpret your comments earlier and I don’t want to make any assumptions. What was your intention for what you said to Jose in the meeting? It’s important that we ensure psychological safety in all our interactions.

There are so many creative ways to give feedback with compassionate accountability. Here’s another great resource from my friend, “The Teamwork Doctor,” Liane Davey. When we treat ourselves and others as valuable, capable, and responsible, everybody wins.

Copyright Next Element Consulting, LLC 2023