How can you help clients who are resistant to feedback?

Feedback is a valuable tool for improving your performance and building trust with your clients. However, not everyone is open to receiving feedback, especially if they perceive it as negative, unfair, or irrelevant. How can you help clients who are resistant to feedback and turn it into a positive learning experience? Here are some tips to help you overcome common barriers and challenges.

Key takeaways from this article

Create a safe space:

Begin by acknowledging your client's concerns and emotions, setting the stage for a non-judgmental exchange. This empathetic approach can lower defenses, making feedback more palatable.
Encourage self-reflection:

Guide your clients to assess their own performance, which can lead to self-discovery of improvement areas and foster a sense of ownership over their development.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

Babita Tanwar

Health Care veteran with 30 yearsâ€¦

1 Understand the reasons

When giving feedback, it's important to first consider why your client might be resistant. This could be due to low self-esteem, different expectations, a fixed mindset, or a history of negative feedback experiences. To ensure your feedback is well-received, try to empathize with your client's perspective and tailor your approach and language to suit their needs and preferences.

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Babita Tanwar

Health Care veteran with 30 years experience| Internationally certified soft skill trainer| Igniting Confidence through effective communication & Soft skills for personal and professional growth| Lets elevate together ðŸš€
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Understanding the reason for resistance, vis-a-vis having an open communication with the client, could help both the parties; feedback is always helpful if given in a constructive way e.g.applying the sandwich method while giving feedback. Understanding the impact of constructive feedback could benefit the client by knowing the scope of improvement which might help to overcome the resistance .

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2 Build rapport and trust

In order to ensure that feedback is accepted and acted upon, it is important to first build rapport and trust with your client. Establishing a mutual purpose for the feedback and how it will benefit them is a great way to start. Additionally, using positive and constructive feedback techniques such as the sandwich method, the SBI model, or the SMART criteria can help. It is important to balance praise and criticism while focusing on specific behaviors and outcomes, not personal traits or opinions. Involving your client in the feedback process and asking for their input can be beneficial as well. Showing appreciation for their efforts and achievements is also important. By creating a positive and collaborative feedback environment, you can reduce resistance and increase motivation and engagement.

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Aleksandar CvetanoviÄ‡

Creative Ideator | Interpersonal Communicator
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We can acknowledge their perspective and any underlying concerns they may have about receiving feedback. From there, we can explain how feedback can provide valuable insights, help identify areas for improvement, and ultimately lead to personal or professional growth. A supportive and non-confrontational approach should encourage them to become more receptive to feedback over time.

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3 Address emotions and objections

Even if you follow the best feedback practices, your client may still emotionally react or challenge your feedback. This is understandable, as feedback can evoke feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, or sadness. How you respond to these emotions and objections is key. Acknowledge and validate your client's feelings and show empathy and support. Listen actively to their concerns and questions without interrupting or debating. Clarify and restate your feedback message with evidence and examples. Reframe negative feedback as a chance for growth and provide suggestions and resources for improvement. Ask open-ended questions to encourage your client to share their own ideas and solutions. By handling emotions and objections in a calm and respectful manner, you can help your client move towards action and change.

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Bhavani S.

Health Informatician | ICT-HIS Support | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | CPC-AAPC | ECBA | Process optimization | Sr. Claims Resolution Analyst | Data Analytics Enthusiast
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In my experience offering ongoing support and encouragement is crucial. Recognize and celebrate progress, no matter how small, reinforcing the client's efforts towards growth and development. Establishing a continuous feedback loop allows for regular check-ins and adjustments, ensuring the client feels supported every step of the way. By addressing underlying issues, adapting feedback delivery, and providing ongoing support, you can effectively help clients overcome resistance and embrace feedback.

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4 Follow up and follow through

Feedback is an ongoing process that requires follow up and follow through to ensure positive results and lasting changes. It is important to set clear and realistic goals and action plans with your client, as well as provide ongoing support and guidance. Celebrate successes and achievements, while also providing positive reinforcement and feedback. Additionally, review and revise your feedback and action plans when needed to address any new issues or concerns. Ultimately, by following up and following through, you can help your client sustain their improvement and maintain a positive feedback relationship.

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5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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NATALIYA LLOYD

Treasury Associate Director | Management Consultancy | Banking and Financial Services
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Know your team! â€˜Tip of the icebergâ€™ thinking when it comes to giving feedback is essential. Communication should be constructive from the standpoint of the recipient, not the provider.

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How can you help clients who are resistant to feedback?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Understand the reasons

2 Build rapport and trust

3 Address emotions and objections

4 Follow up and follow through

5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Interpersonal Skills

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Directory

How can you help clients who are resistant to feedback?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Understand the reasons

2 Build rapport and trust

3 Address emotions and objections

4 Follow up and follow through

5 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Interpersonal Skills

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