Give Feedback Like a CEO: 5 Ways to Transform Performance


This week in the world’s #1 newsletter on leadership communication:

  • Stop Winging Feedback: 5 Frameworks That Actually Work
  • Free Webinar: How to Speak Like a Leader
  • How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge
  • What to Do When You’re In the Eye of the Storm?

Stop Winging Feedback: 5 Frameworks That Actually Work

High performance teams don't happen by accident.

They are a result of clear communication, a thriving company culture, picking the right people – and feedback that allows the team to grow together.

Since none of us is born perfect or can read minds, we all need feedback from the people around us.

But there are 3 fundamental problems with feedback that I observe in many of the organizations I work with.

#1 – Not enough feedback

The world moves too fast to wait for an annual review to discuss an issue.

High performance teams give each other continuous feedback, and as a result can improve performance dramatically – fast.

#2 – Not enough positive feedback

Often someone's performance is 90% positive. But the feedback session is spent on the 10% that didn't work so well.

If a performance is 90% positive, that should be the focus of the feedback, not the 10%.

Catch people when they do something right!

#3 – Unstructured feedback

Some leaders try to wing it, i.e. their feedback is unstructured and all over the place.

The problem: Unstructured feedback can confuse, demotivate, and disengage your team.

Here are 5 frameworks to give feedback with clarity and impact.

My advice is to sit down biweekly and keep track of what you discuss in a joint document.

1. 3Cs (my favorite):

  • Celebration: notice what's working.
  • Challenges: what are areas for improvement (honestly).
  • Commitments: agree on action steps.

2. SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact):

  • Describe specific situations.
  • Focus on observed behavior.
  • Explain the behavior's impact.

3. Radical Candor (H/T Kim Scott):

  • Care personally: Show that you are invested in the person and their development.
  • Challenge directly: Don't beat around the bush; be direct and honest about the feedback you're giving.

4. GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will):

  • Set feedback goals.
  • Discuss the current reality.
  • Explore growth options.
  • Agree on action steps.

5. The 5 A’s (Ask-Affirm-Advise-Assist-Arrange)

  • Ask: Ask the individual for their self-assessment.
  • Affirm: Affirm their strengths and positive behaviors.
  • Advise: Offer advice on areas for improvement.
  • Assist: Provide assistance or resources to help them improve.
  • Arrange: Arrange a follow-up to discuss progress and provide ongoing support.

AVOID: The Feedback Sandwich

Because it is so well known, the sh*t sandwich (positive-negative-positive) feels manipulative and often backfires.

With feedback, a team can grow together. Without it, a team grows apart.


WEBINAR

How to Speak Like a Leader

Join me next week for a timely session on How to Speak Like a Leader (Thursday, May 8th, 6PM Berlin time / 12PM Eastern / 9 AM Pacific).

Now more than ever, clear communication and visibility are key to your success.

We'll be laser-focused on mastering public speaking, navigating tough internal conversations, and leveraging LinkedIn to amplify your leadership presence.

Register for the webinar by Training Magazine's Social Learning Network here.

This is about equipping yourself with the communication toolkit of a leader.


PODCAST

How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge

I do a podcast to help you become a top 1% communicator. You should subscribe.

Communication gets you what you want in life – especially if you know how to talk to the people in charge. (Even CEOs have a board they report to, so this affects everyone.)

This week on the podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Melody Wilding, the award-winning executive coach, speaker, and bestselling author behind the success of countless leaders at giants like Google and JP Morgan.

Melody, author of the brand new book "Managing Up," shares her no-nonsense approach to navigating the power dynamics at play in every organization.

We dive into the 10 crucial conversations you need to master – from aligning on priorities to finally having that crucial money talk.

Here's what you'll gain:

  • Clarity on your priorities: Learn how to ensure you're focusing on what truly matters to your boss and the organization.
  • Strategies for clear communication: Discover how to adapt your style to resonate with different leadership personalities.
  • Tactics for setting boundaries: Stop feeling overwhelmed by learning how to say "no" diplomatically.
  • Insights on career advancement: Position yourself strategically for that next big step.
  • Confidence in salary negotiations: Understand how to articulate your value and get the compensation you deserve.
  • The ABCs of upward feedback: Learn how to share constructive criticism with your superiors effectively.

Melody shares so many actionable takeaways you can implement immediately. Find the the full episode here:


BOOK RECOMMENDATION

What to Do When You’re In the Eye of the Storm?

Scott Walker is back!

Kidnap-for-ransom negotiator, bestselling author of Order out of Chaos and a podcast favorite of yours, outlines how we can make good decisions in bad situations.

Eye of the Storm is a practical toolkit to help you navigate adversity, overcome it and make better decisions regardless of your circumstances.

You don’t need to have resolved a kidnap-for-ransom case or other major crises to benefit from these insights because this book is designed to help with the everyday challenges that show up for all of us.

One key insight: while you can’t control everything that happens to us, we can always control how you interpret and respond to what happens.

It sounds simple, yet it’s not always easy to put into practice. But Eye of the Storm gives us a clear, science-based framework on how to think, feel and act when it gets tough.

Have an inspired weekend!

Best,

Oliver

PS: Share this newsletter with your friends & colleagues here.

Eo Ipso Communications GmbH

c/o Mindspace

Uhlandstraße 32, 10719 Berlin

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