Making effective feedback your superpower, with Therese Huston

Giving people feedback that is honest, appreciative and that offers guidance, with cognitive scientist Therese Huston.

Therese's book is Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower.

Graham and Therese started by discussing music and sport, then transition into Therese’s experience of being given professional feedback in a less-than-professional setting.

'37% of managers dread giving feedback, but 67% of employees want more feedback.'

Centering on the US study cited in Therese’s book, she and Graham look at managers’ reluctance to give feedback, but also examine the benefits that regular feedback can bring and the emotional impact it can have.

'Appreciation, coaching, and evaluation.'

Taking three distinct viewpoints on management, Therese triangulates her approach to giving feedback, and then discusses ways to ask for feedback that is more specific and actionable.

'If you can say what was most important to the person, and how they felt about it, you’re on your way to becoming a really good listener.'

Therese outlines strategies for listening, identifying what’s most important to the person asking for feedback, and avoiding questions that can make people defensive.

'Do you want to promote the person who’s compassionate and helpful, or the person who’s a visionary game-changer?'

Drawing on Harvard research, Therese picks apart gender-biased language and its use in evolution, and the hiring and promotion of men vs women. She and Graham also discuss unconscious bias, and how identifying conscious biases doesn’t necessarily free us from them.

'Writing the book on productivity is like making a rod for your own back.'

Their conversation ends with the responsibilities of writing a book that sets an example and a meta discussion on receiving feedback on Therese’s book.

Graham Allcott is the founder of time management training company Think Productive.

This podcast is produced by Origin.

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