Dee Fitzgerald
Appearances
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
I think the most critical skill for leaders giving feedback is framing the feedback around behavior rather than personality. For example, instead of saying you're such a live wire in that meeting, which refers to the personality trait extroversion, try saying, in the meeting, I noticed that you dominated the conversation, which led to Sam and Chris not sharing their insights.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
This focuses on specific actions rather than making judgments about someone's character. It also reduces the likelihood of bias. Since research shows women often receive more personality-driven or subjective feedback than men, which can hinder their ability to make change and get ahead.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
By way of example, a female leader I know told me she received feedback that she was too soft and too hard in the very same day.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
To encourage honest feedback, leaders must start by cultivating genuine self-awareness. While many leaders believe they are self-aware, research shows it's actually quite rare, especially for those in positions of power. Status can create barriers, making it uncomfortable for people to offer constructive criticism.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
To combat this, try to establish multiple channels for regular feedback, such as 360 feedback or open forums that remove the barrier between leaders and employees. Additionally, identifying trusted individuals who can provide candid insights and help action challenging feedback can be very helpful.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
Emma, there's so many benefits, but one of the key benefits of feedback is that it fosters innovation in organizations. When I see leaders encourage feedback and input from their teams, it really empowers people to share new ideas and come up with creative solutions. This collaboration brings diverse perspectives and ideas, which are key to effective problem solving.
Redefiners
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations
Additionally, when people feel heard, they're more willing to take risks and experiment with new ways of working, fostering a culture of continuous innovation. In short, a strong feedback loop fuels creativity and has a measurable impact on business success.