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How to Give Useful Feedback Guide

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employee performance feedback

How to Confront Employee Behavior

This article will explain how to give useful feedback to an employee for affecting change.

When I started managing people my trial-and-error methods fell short. My first failed approach was to overlook minor errors and reserve face-to-face meetings for the big issues. This led to a series of death by a thousand cuts, which was irritating for everyone. My next effort was to sell desired behaviors. But the problem was, they weren’t buying 🤷‍♂️. This was a repetitive, useless exercise that got us nowhere. Fortunately, I later learned a more effective way to confront employee behaviors that produced better results.

In this article, I’ll remove all the nonsense and give you the straight bill of goods. Once you know how, you can be confident that your communication is clear and boundaries are laid to create real change.


The disruptive behavior of one employee can affect the entire team and operations.

Employees with unruly behaviors can impact workplace harmony, safety, business operations, customer service and revenue. Therefor, change is necessary to continue future employment with the organization.

These conversations are crucial, so it's imperative that we get it right!

How to Prepare for the Meeting: Analyze the Issue

  1. Name the specific behaviour that needs changing.
  2. How did I contribute to the problem? (e.g. didn’t confront it sooner, wasn't clear before, etc.)
  3. What is the desired behaviour I need from the employee? By when?
  4. What are potential issues that may derail the meeting? How can I avoid them?
  5. What is my commitment going forward?


Book a Meeting with the Employee 

Let the employee know you would like to meet to discuss a recent event. Book a mutually convenient time.

"The best communicators in the world prepare for their conversations." ~ Linda Reddin

Script an Effective Feedback Meeting

Step 1  - Be yourself. Keep your tone calm & familial.

State the purpose of the meeting, the process, and what you hope to achieve.

Step 2  - Create a visual of what happened.

Describe the latest scene from an observer perspective: what happened, why the behavior is detrimental to the company's mission, and what needs to change. 

Step 3 - invite the employee to recall the situation.

Ask the employee to recall the situation. Check-in for understanding and if there is anything they want to add to the conversation.

Step 4 - make it a team approach. Be solution Focused.

Add in any part you played in contributing to what happened, e.g. not addressing the same behavior in the past, waiting too long to address it or combining the issue with other discussion items that its importance was lost.

State how you're going to change going forward should it happen again, eg. "I will talk to you as it happens. But, equally, I will also let you know when I notice a positive change."

Step 5 - employee paraphrases what needs to/ will change.

Tell the employee that you want to make sure your communication is clear. Then, to confirm their understanding, ask the employee to rephrase what needs to happen in their own words.

Step 6 - End on a positive Note. reiterate your commitment.

 Reiterate your commitment. Thank the employee for their time and be sure to follow up/through.

Putting it to Work -  True Story 

*Names have been changed.

Tom has been a Manager of Rick for the past eighteen months. He depends on Rick to oversee the branch’s service operation’s management of its 20+ employees. Rick is a competent supervisor but is reluctant or disengaged when asked to take on additional duties when needed. Extra work as required is part of his job description, but Rick is not buying.


When thinking back to previous conversations that failed, Tom realizes that he didn't do a good job of communicating. His errors included mixing the issue among other topics or he waited too long after the fact. Thus, the problem remained. 


What Tom needs is for Rick to take on projects when asked.

Tom finds Rick at this desk and asks if they can meet tomorrow to discuss the other day’s events. Rick is surprised but agrees. Tom leaves him to script an improved discussion. 

The Employee Meeting: Useful Feedback

Tom opens the discussion in his usual style. He is relaxed; his tone is steady. Then, he segues to the other day’s events and describes what happened from an observer's perspective.

The manager shifts the conversation to acknowledge Rick's work with the service team and how efficient he is. Then, he transitions to essential projects that will need his assistance.

At this point, Tom admits his role in this recurring issue. In the past, he waited too long after the event occurred to talk to him. However, he assures Rick that he will be prompt in the future. 

Tom checks in with Rick. In his own words, Rick acknowledges his needs. He readily agrees.

Benefits of Meeting Preparation

  • Tom is relieved that Rick agreed to take on the extra work, he didn’t have to sell the idea to him, and their relationship remains intact. It was easier than he thought.
  • Rick felt that his work was acknowledged and was happy to pitch in as part of his regular job. Tom also realized that he never “asked” for a meeting with Rick before but “told” him to do things, like a boss. By shifting his approach to a collaborative one, Rick was able to participate as a team player.
  • By preparing his discussion, Tom could be himself. As a result, he was steady, avoided conflict and gained self-respect respect instead. 

Bring Focus Back on Your Priorities 

Thanks to “How to Confront Employee Behavior Guide,” there is no need to procrastinate or lose sleep over having those difficult employee behavior conversations anymore.

Whether you are an experienced Manager or brand new, you have the tools to end disruptive behaviors early on.

By being proactive, you can create harmony instead. You’ll have more time for activities that bring joy and desired results.

Before you prepare for your next feedback meeting, make sure you let me know what you think of “How to Give Useful Employee Feedback Guide. Leave a comment below.

About the Author

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For over a decade, Linda has been guiding leaders to become resilient role models in their organizations and lead fulfilling lives. In her spare time, Linda enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, music, practicing yoga and meditation.


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