Mindful Feedback
Category: Mindfulness at Work & Leadership
Tags: Management, Communication, Psychological Safety
Overview
'Can I give you some feedback?' These words trigger a primal fear response. The brain perceives social threat as physical danger.
Definition
Mindful Feedback is the delivery of critique with the intent to help, not vent. It separates behavior from identity.
The Science
The SCARF Model
Poor feedback attacks Status and Relatedness, triggering fight-or-flight. Mindful feedback preserves status while correcting behavior.
The Practice
The SBI Model
- Check Intention: Is this to help?
- Situation: Describe context.
- Behavior: Describe observable action.
- Impact: Describe the result.
Common Pitfalls
- The Feedback Sandwich (hiding criticism).
- Using 'You Always' or 'You Never'.
Key Takeaway
Truth without love is brutality. Love without truth is hypocrisy.