Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations

We share how leaders can master the art of giving and receiving regular, effective feedback—and the benefits when they get it right. 

As the end of the year draws closer, you’re likely reflecting on your team’s performance—and how to give feedback that helps your leaders develop and improve. But, these types of conversations aren’t always easy to navigate.  

So, what skills are important to hone when giving feedback? And what are some of the common pitfalls you may encounter when having these honest conversations?  

But it’s not just about giving feedback. It’s also important that you’re getting the feedback you need to develop. So, how can you encourage honest, upward feedback? And what benefits will you see when you act on it? In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Dee Fitzgerald, David Lange, and Silvia Lago—who share their perspectives on:   

• How to give actionable upward feedback 
• What to do when someone disagrees with you during a feedback session 
• The skills required to receive feedback effectively  
• How leaders can create a feedback-rich culture.  

“If the direct report feels like there's an environment of psychological safety…upward feedback actually becomes something that a direct report will offer regularly and proactively to their leaders.” 

David Lange, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.  

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.   

Four things you’ll learn from this episode  

1. Effective feedback focuses on specific behaviors, not personality. Frame feedback constructively to enable growth and development, avoiding subjective or contradictory comments. 
2. Creating a culture of psychological safety is essential for encouraging honest, upward feedback, which requires leaders to actively solicit input at all levels. 
3. It’s important to hone key skills, including actively listening to feedback, asking clarifying questions, and approaching it as a collaborative dialogue, rather than defensively. 
4. Integrating feedback into regular interactions, rather than relying on annual reviews, and seeking diverse perspectives through mentors or team debriefs, helps leaders continuously grow and innovate. 

In this 17 minute episode, we will cover:  

(1:32) How leaders can frame their feedback to ensure it’s delivered effectively. 

(3:09) Why it’s critical feedback is a two-way conversation. 

(5:06) What’s at the root of all effective upward feedback.  

(7:18) The two key ways CEOs can generate constructive, unfiltered feedback. 

(9:53) Why nothing should come as a surprise at an end-of-year review.   

(10:33) Why active listening is such an important trait for leaders receiving feedback. 

A closer look at the research from this episode:  

Walk the Talk: Inclusive Leadership Development Moves the Needle On DE&I | Russell Reynolds Associates 

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.