Feedback Isn't About Your Feelings

My boss once asked me why I don’t give more feedback. I told him that my team didn’t like to hear it and it was always a pain to have to give it and deal with the aggravation.

He pointed out to me that I was not giving feedback because I didn’t like how it felt. I didn’t like having to do it, I didn’t like how they reacted towards me, and I didn’t like how I felt afterwards.

The reality is that managers must give feedback if they want to be successful. Feedback works. Managers don’t get paid to only do they things they like and that feel good.

When I talk with managers who don’t give feedback, I challenge them if it is because they don’t like it or they have proof it doesn’t work.