November 12: Focus on Actions, Not the Actor
Focus on what was done, not who did it. Feedback is most effective when it’s about behaviors, not personal traits.
Make feedback about the behavior, not the person. This keeps it professional, actionable, and fair.
People can feel defensive when feedback seems personal, even if unintended. By focusing on specific actions rather than personal traits, you’ll make feedback feel objective and constructive, rather than like criticism of their character. This approach helps people focus on improvement rather than defending themselves.
Take Action: In your next feedback conversation, make a point to center the discussion around what you observed, not generalizations. For example, say, “In yesterday’s meeting, I noticed…” instead of, “You always…”