You've mastered opening negotiations collaboratively. Now let's tackle one of the hardest high-stakes conversations: giving tough feedback.

Whether it's a teammate missing deadlines or a direct report needing course correction, these moments make or break relationships and results.

Engagement Message

What makes giving tough feedback so challenging for you?

Most feedback fails because it's either too vague ("You need to communicate better") or too personal ("You're disorganized"). This triggers defensiveness and kills learning.

The magic happens when you focus on specific, observable behaviors rather than character judgments or generalizations.

Engagement Message

Think of recent feedback you received. Was it specific or vague?

Here's the game-changing framework: SBI-Ask-Offer. It transforms difficult conversations into growth opportunities.

Situation: Set the specific context. Behavior: Describe what you observed. Impact: Explain the effect it had.

Then Ask for their perspective and Offer support.

Engagement Message

Which step of SBI-Ask-Offer do you expect will be toughest for you?

Situation creates clarity. Instead of "You're always late," try "In yesterday's client meeting..." or "During last week's presentation..."

This grounds your feedback in a specific moment rather than making it feel like a character attack.

Specific situations are harder to argue with and easier to learn from.

Engagement Message

What specific situation would you address in your next feedback conversation?

Behavior focuses on actions, not intentions. "You interrupted the client three times" versus "You don't respect others."