How can I better prepare so that the feedback is effective and I show up as the leader I aspire to be?

Here are four leadership moves to successfully navigate the challenge:

Take a moment to reflect on why you are struggling to provide this feedback.

• What is making it hard for you to address this person’s behavior?
• If you have hesitated or delayed, why?
• What are the reasons you need to account for and reconcile with yourself before having that conversation? For example, are you afraid of disappointing this person? Of being perceived as unfair? Of making the situation worse?

Prepare your message in advance and be clear on what you need to communicate.

• Which specific behaviors that they need to change?
• What expectations aren’t they meeting?
• What are the consequences of their actions, including impact on performance?

Think about how you can approach the conversation with a balanced combination of empathy and assertiveness to ensure that you are heard.

• How do you anticipate this person will respond?
• Are you prepared to stay on message if they shift blame, cry, or become angry?
• What are the questions you’ll ask them to better understand why they are not meeting expectations?
• How will you explore solutions together?

As a leader, you know you get better with experience. This is why it's important to give your team members stretch goals and opportunities to be challenged. Use this experience to refine your own leadership skills.

• How will you incorporate a continuous feedback loop?
• How can you create a process for sharing feedback in team meetings?
• How will you cultivate an environment that encourages staff to feel empowered to have difficult conversations with each other?

As the healthcare industry grows more complex, organizations need leaders who can leverage their expertise and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Advisory Board Fellowship is an immersive leadership program where leaders are challenged and supported by a diverse group of industry peers, world-class faculty, and executive coaches. Participants will learn about advancing critical priorities and develop the ability to make the difficult decisions necessary to fulfill your organizational purpose.