Idea in Brief
The Problem
The more diverse a workplace is, the more likely it is that people will interpret feedback—especially negative feedback—as an act of hostility.
Why It Happens
People of different cultures, genders, and generations have different expectations for how feedback is delivered and by whom, which may make them perceive advice as a sign that their position is in jeopardy.
How to Fix It
Be careful about how you deliver feedback. When giving it across cultures, align your choice of words with the norms of recipients. When giving feedback across genders, empower recipients first. To foster effective feedback across generations, make it an explicit part of your team’s culture. To mitigate potential misunderstandings, build continuous feedback loops into operational practices.