Sidetracking and What to Do About it

When leaders provide valuable feedback on a regular basis employee engagement levels rise. Giving feedback regularly also encourages your team to be more communicative with you and each other.

But, have you ever tried to bring up some constructive feedback, only to have it sidetracked? This happens to even the most experienced leaders.

According to Vital Smarts, if you avoid giving feedback for more than a week from an event, it can cost a company about $7500 or 8 work days with mistakes, confusing messages, unresolved conflicts, accidents, and more.

Here are some examples of how feedback conversations can get sidetracked and what to do about it.

The Delay
“I’m right in the middle of something, now is not a good time.”

Fall on Sword
“I’m so sorry, you’re right. I don’t know what’s wrong with me and why I can’t arrive on time.”

The Guilt Trip
“I’ll never be good enough for you.”

The Attack
“You’re the real problem!”

Blame Game
“Frank and Julie come in late, too!”

Sound familiar? At times, we all sidetrack. When dealing with sidetrackers, consider the following:

The Goal
Listen very carefully to what the sidetracker has to say, then remind them of the goal. For example: “The goal is for you to arrive to team meetings prepared and on-time.”

Solution
Work together to determine a solution.

Follow Up
Review progress, provide feedback.
Repeat step 1 if necessary.