09.12.2025

Is feedback hindering or helping performance in your organisation?

Is feedback hindering or helping performance in…

twitter icon

"People don't like negative feedback, but they really like anything positive." Seems to make sense in the context of the workplace, doesn't it? Except it's not true. Some really interesting new research identifies that the impact of feedback for wellbeing and behaviour isn't whether the feedback is positive or negative, but how individuals appraise its implications in relation to their self-perception. So if I have a negative view of my own performance, I'm less likely to react negatively to constructive feedback, because, fundamentally, I agree with it.

This has significant implications if you are a leader in an organisation. Just planning out what you are going to say, with evidence and a framework, won't be enough to ensure the feedback is helpful and promotes wellbeing and performance. You have to know your people. You have to have open, honest, inclusive conversations on an ongoing basis to help people to understand themselves and open up to communicate with you and each other. Feedback is just one part of your leadership toolbox. It's an essential one, but if you're not using it effectively, it could well hinder rather than help performance.

Do you find that you spend too much of your time supporting managers in your business who lack the skills, motivation or confidence to fully step up into their management role? I spent many years…

Follow us for more articles and posts direct from professionals on      

Can people change?

Some of the most damaging leadership myths I've encountered over my career are about change: "People can't…

Neuroscience in Leadership

This is the face of one very chuffed woman! Finished the first year of my Master’s in Applied Neuroscience at King’s…

The Human Factor

I've shared a number of posts over the last few weeks, all rooted in a similar set of questions.Questions about trust,…

More Articles

Leadership: The Human Factor

For over 30 years, I've worked in HR and Leadership Development, and I've been lucky enough to work with a wide range…

No-one Steps in the Same River Twice

I was looking through some old notes recently and came across a quote from Heraclitus:"No man ever steps in the same…

Why Can't they just do it???

Over the years I've lost count of the number of times I've heard some variation of: "We've explained it." "They've had…

Would you like to promote an article ?

Post articles and opinions on Cardiff Professionals to attract new clients and referrals. Feature in newsletters.
Join for free today and upload your articles for new contacts to read and enquire further.