Building Confidence giving Feedback

Are you wondering how our ‘Work and Wellbeing Coaching’ might support your employees? Explore a a recent anonymised case study to uncover deeper insights on how our work and wellbeing coaching has supported a middle leader to build confidence in their skills for giving feedback to their direct reports, peers and seniors.

Case Study: Building Confidence in Feedback through Work and Wellbeing Coaching

Client Background

Jane, a middle leader at an educational institution, sought coaching to become more confident in giving feedback to her direct reports, peers, and seniors. She felt particularly anxious about having challenging conversations and holding others to account, especially with colleagues who had significantly more experience.

Coaching Focus

The coaching sessions with Jane focused on identifying the factors contributing to her lack of confidence in giving feedback and developing strategies to address these issues. Jane aimed to set measurable goals to improve her feedback skills and create a culture of feedback within her team.

Exploring Challenges

During the initial sessions, Jane and her coach delved into the various aspects impacting her confidence in giving feedback. They used the Circle of Influence and Control coaching model to identify areas where Jane could exert control and influence. Key challenges included:

1. Lack of Experience – Jane felt she lacked the experience needed to provide effective feedback, especially to more seasoned colleagues.

2. Fear of Failure – She was afraid of making mistakes and not getting her points across effectively.

3. Not Wanting to Overstep – Jane was concerned about overstepping her boundaries and not respecting the expertise of her colleagues.

4. Avoiding Confrontation – She preferred to avoid confrontation and was worried about potential conflicts arising from feedback.

5. Maintaining Relationships – Jane was anxious about damaging relationships or upsetting her colleagues.

Developing Strategies to build confidence

Through coaching, Jane devised actionable strategies to overcome these challenges and build her confidence in giving feedback:

1. Reframing Conversations – Jane learned to approach feedback conversations through the lens of curiosity, focusing on understanding the perspectives of others and framing feedback constructively.

2. Removing Blame – She practiced techniques to take the blame out of conversations, ensuring feedback was seen as a tool for growth rather than criticism.

3. Building Feedback Skills – Jane worked on specific techniques for having challenging conversations, such as using “I” statements and providing concrete examples.

4. Creating a Feedback Culture – Jane developed a strategy to integrate feedback into everyday language and interactions, making it a regular part of her team’s culture rather than an occasional event.

5. Commitment to Practice – She committed to trying a range of strategies and ideas, continuously reflecting on and refining her approach to feedback.

Outcome

Through coaching, Jane gained deep insights into the internal barriers that were holding her back. She recognised that her fears and lack of confidence were largely due to negative internal dialogue. With guidance, she reframed her thinking and adopted new strategies to approach feedback confidently and constructively.

Jane successfully integrated feedback into her team’s daily interactions, fostering a culture where feedback was welcomed and seen as an opportunity for growth. Her increased confidence also led to more effective communication and stronger relationships within her team.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates how work and wellbeing coaching can empower middle leaders like Jane to overcome internal barriers, improve their feedback skills, and build a positive team culture. By focusing on actionable strategies and leveraging their influence, leaders can effectively support their teams and promote a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.

Work and Wellbeing Coaching

Our tailored employee support services are designed to meet the unique needs of your employees, empowering them to take ownership of their wellbeing and personal growth. By fostering the development of effective wellbeing habits, employees experience a profound impact on their overall satisfaction, resilience, and fulfilment, leading to increased motivation and a positive sense of personal and professional wellbeing. This positive transformation empowers individuals to navigate challenges with greater ease, fostering a more positive and productive work-life experience. 

Work and Wellbeing coaching packages start from £349 +VAT. Get in touch to explore our tailored employee support services.