How do you give specific and timely feedback to your leadership clients?

1 Step 1: Prepare your feedback

Before you deliver your feedback, you need to prepare it carefully, based on your observations, data, and coaching objectives. You should avoid vague or general statements, and instead focus on concrete and measurable aspects of your client's behavior, actions, or outcomes. You should also consider the context, timing, and frequency of your feedback, and how it relates to your client's goals and expectations. Finally, you should plan how to structure your feedback, using a clear and positive language, and balancing praise and criticism.

2 Step 2: Ask for permission

Feedback is more likely to be accepted and acted upon if your client is ready and willing to receive it. Therefore, you should always ask for permission before giving feedback, and respect your client's choice if they decline or postpone it. Asking for permission shows respect and empathy, and also helps you establish rapport and trust with your client. You can ask for permission by explaining the purpose and benefits of your feedback, and inviting your client to share their own perspective and feedback preferences.

3 Step 3: Deliver your feedback

Once you have your client's permission, you can deliver your feedback in a clear, concise, and constructive way. You should start with a positive statement, highlighting what your client did well or achieved, and then move on to the areas of improvement or development, providing specific examples and evidence. You should avoid personal judgments, assumptions, or comparisons, and instead focus on the impact and consequences of your client's behavior, actions, or outcomes. You should also use open-ended questions, active listening, and paraphrasing to check your client's understanding and reaction to your feedback.

4 Step 4: Follow up your feedback

Feedback is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires follow-up and support. You should end your feedback session by asking your client to summarize the main points and action steps, and by expressing your appreciation and confidence in their potential. You should also agree on a timeline and a method for reviewing and evaluating the progress and results of your feedback. You should provide ongoing encouragement, recognition, and reinforcement to your client, as well as additional feedback if needed.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?