Episode Summary
In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common excuse for not giving feedback: “it never lands right.” He firmly states that avoiding feedback for this reason is a “terrible idea” and that feedback must be given regardless. Instead of avoidance, Mike advises a diagnostic approach. He prompts leaders to examine their delivery—are they too harsh, too soft, too direct, or too indirect? He also questions the timeliness of the feedback, emphasizing that waiting too long can prevent it from landing effectively. Mike stresses the importance of giving feedback in real-time and ensuring it is useful and specific, rather than simply critical judgment.
Key Takeaways
- Avoiding giving feedback because it “never lands right” is a poor approach; feedback is crucial regardless of perceived reception.
- Diagnose why feedback isn’t landing effectively by examining your delivery style (harsh, soft, direct, indirect) and its timeliness.
- Always give feedback in real-time, ensuring it is useful and specific rather than vague criticism or judgment.
Notable Quotes
- “If somebody said to me they don’t give feedback because it never lands right, that’s a terrible idea. That’s a really terrible idea. You gotta give feedback no matter how it lands.”
- “How often have you heard somebody say, at a performance review, I haven’t heard anything in a whole year, and now all of sudden this is a problem? That’s why it doesn’t land right. Sometimes we wait too long to give the feedback.”
- “Make sure that the feedback is useful for the person and not, you know, you’re not doing a very good job. That’s not feedback. That is judgment.”
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