What do you do if your team members are resistant to constructive feedback?

1 Set Expectations

Establishing clear expectations around feedback is crucial in retail settings. As a manager, you should communicate that feedback—both positive and negative—is an integral part of the job and necessary for the team's success. Explain how feedback helps with skill development and achieving personal career goals. When setting these expectations, also provide a structure for how feedback will be given, ensuring it's consistent, fair, and focused on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal attributes.

2 Foster Trust

Building trust within your team is foundational for them to be receptive to feedback. In retail operations, where teamwork is essential, trust ensures that feedback is perceived as genuine and aimed at improvement. Create a safe environment for open communication by being transparent, showing appreciation for hard work, and admitting your own mistakes. When your team sees you are committed to a fair and respectful culture, they are more likely to embrace feedback as a positive force.

3 Provide Training

Sometimes resistance to feedback stems from a lack of understanding of how to use it effectively. Offering training on how to receive and apply feedback can empower your team members and reduce resistance. In the context of retail, this could include role-playing exercises to practice responding to various types of feedback, or workshops on emotional intelligence to better manage reactions and emotions. Training equips your team with the tools they need to interpret feedback constructively.

4 Personalize Approach

Each team member is unique, with different motivators and sensitivities. Personalizing your approach when delivering feedback can make it more effective. In retail operations, where staff may have diverse roles, tailor your feedback to the individual's responsibilities and career aspirations. Take the time to understand their perspective and adapt your communication style accordingly. This personalized approach shows respect for their individuality and can help mitigate resistance.

5 Follow-up Discussions

After providing feedback, it's important to have follow-up discussions to ensure understanding and progress. In retail, where performance can directly impact sales and customer satisfaction, these follow-up sessions can reinforce the importance of feedback and provide an opportunity for team members to ask questions or seek clarification. This continuous dialogue demonstrates your commitment to their development and can gradually reduce resistance as they experience the positive outcomes of acting on feedback.

6 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?