“You’ll never get to the next level in this company,” an exec told one his managers, “because you can’t take an abstract idea and turn it into a business model.”
Have you ever gotten feedback like this? Or given it?
It’s time for the annual performance review. Bosses and employees are about to say and hear a lot of crazy stuff.
The manager above was baffled. A year later, when I ran into him, he was still baffled. “What do you think that feedback means?” he asked me.
“It means that your boss talks in code,” I said. “It could also mean, ‘Stop asking me so many questions every time I give you a project. I’d rather be abstract and not spell out every detail.’”
Feedback is no time for abstraction. We need clarity:
For example, which feedback is better?
A. Melanie is unprofessional.
B. Melanie spits on customers.
Either way, Melanie will probably not be getting to the next level. But “A” is too vague – it could mean a thousand different things. “B” hits the mark.
Tip: When you give feedback, talk in specifics. And when you receive feedback, ask for specifics. And if you’re spitting on customers, please stop.
© Copyright 2021 Paul Hellman. All rights reserved.
P.S. 3 ways I can help you & your team
1) Virtual workshop—I’ve been leading Dynamic Speaking, a four-session course for small teams. We practice how to get heard, get remembered, and get results.
2) Webinars—e.g. Bulletproof Feedback; The Power of Presence; Your Point? Say It Concisely; Resilience @ Work. Click here for all 12 programs.
3) 1-1 Coaching—Got an important, upcoming communication? I’ll help you with design (what to say) and/or delivery (how to say it with presence). Click here for details.
P.P.S. Rather just read a book? Check out You’ve Got 8 Seconds, #1 Amazon bestseller (12/7/21):
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—The Chronicle Herald book review by Kaye Parker, who named it one of the top business books of the year.
Selected by a Fortune 50 company for their book club, translated into five languages.
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To get these fast tips, click here.
PAUL HELLMAN consults & speaks internationally on how to make your point—fast, focused, powerful.
Please email info@expresspotential.com or call 508-879-0934 for more info.
Paul consults & speaks internationally on how to make your point with maximum impact—in less time.