If I\u2019m being completely honest, giving feedback used to be one of my least favorite parts of being a manager. In fact, when I first joined Google, I dreaded it.<\/p>\n
I was worried about sounding like I was attacking my team or, worse, ruining a good working relationship. But as a leader, avoiding feedback is\u2014to put it mildly\u2014suboptimal. I realized that to help my team grow, I had to grow first.<\/p>\n
After attending several workshops and reading everything I could find, I developed a hybrid model that combines Radical Candor<\/strong>, SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact),<\/strong> and a concept I call Leading with Agency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Here is the framework that turned me from a hesitant manager into a confident coach.<\/p>\n By combining these three powerhouses, you get a five-part model that keeps the conversation objective, supportive, and solution-oriented.<\/p>\n Before you say anything else, let the person know you are on their side. You aren’t giving feedback to tear them down; you\u2019re doing it because you want them to succeed.<\/p>\n Describe the exact moment the behavior happened. Keep it objective and factual.<\/p>\n Describe what they did. Use the word \u201cyou.\u201d This was the hardest part for me! I used to avoid “you” because I felt it was an attack, but being direct is actually kinder.<\/p>\n Share how that behavior impacted you, the team, or the project.<\/p>\n This is where we move into problem-solving mode. Instead of leaving them guessing, offer a path forward. Even if they choose a different solution, you\u2019ve opened the door to a collaborative “roll-up-your-sleeves” conversation.<\/p>\n Imagine a Tech Lead (TL) who constantly answers every question in meetings, accidentally silencing the junior engineers they are supposed to be mentoring. Here is how I would handle that 1:1:<\/p>\n
\nThe Framework: RC + SBI + R<\/h2>\n
1. Radical Candor (The Foundation)<\/h3>\n
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2. Situation (The Context)<\/h3>\n
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3. Behavior (The Action)<\/h3>\n
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4. Impact (The Result)<\/h3>\n
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5. Recommendation (The Agency)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nThe Model in Action: The “Over-Answering” Tech Lead<\/h3>\n