You can be considerate and direct at the same time.
I often meet people who are reluctant to share direct feedback with others because they’re worried it will hurt their feelings.
👉 Their hearts are in the right place, but their delivery ends up sugarcoated to the point that the key takeaway becomes so ambiguous that the feedback is useless.
When you dilute feedback to protect someone, you’re just postponing the discomfort. Even worse is that you’re denying them a chance to improve.
Being considerate doesn’t mean avoiding the truth. It means delivering the truth in a way that respects the other person’s dignity, intelligence, and potential.
đź’ˇRemember, the goal is for the employee to grow, and a little discomfort is usually necessary for this to happen.
References: Fisch R, Weakland J, Segal L. The Tactics of Change: Doing Therapy Briefly. Josey-Bass Publishers; 1986.
Post Title: The sweet spot in feedback is at the intersection of candor and care.