From Tracy in San Diego
Hi Coach,
I want to give my brother’s feedback about his performance in the business but I’m not sure how to go about it.
Answer:
Good question Tracy. People, and more specifically siblings, can really resist feedback. It’s important to learn how to give it in a productive way so that it can have the best value. Please consider using our playbook on giving your sibling of performance review.
Here’s the summary answer. We need to create an environment in which people are used to giving and receiving feedback. This doesn’t happen overnight it’s a process over time but every great team knows the only way to become a high-performance team is to embrace feedback.
Secondly take responsibility for learning how to throw the ball to the other person in a way they can catch it. So try to make your feedback constructive and productive focusing on what the business needs to be successful and not a personal attack on his character or personality.
Make sure your feedback is focused on behaviors and actions that are observable. Gently work your way into the conversation and make sure and ask permission to give him feedback. If he doesn’t grant you permission then let’s talk about plan B, where you ask him why he’s not willing to get feedback.
If he’s not willing to get feedback from you then you need to engage others in your team such as business coaches or other advisors that can help give an objective voice to it.
I’m really glad you want to give him feedback, and encourage you to invite him to give you feedback. All of this is the path to becoming a high performing team.
Practice it on others, rehearse it a bit and then get to work. You can do this. You have to do this!
