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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
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Dealing with a defensive employee during a performance review. How can you navigate feedback effectively?

Addressing performance with a defensive employee is delicate. Here's how to foster a constructive review:

- Approach with empathy, acknowledging their feelings before diving into feedback.

- Use specific examples to illustrate points, avoiding vague language that can be misinterpreted.

- Encourage a dialogue by asking for their perspective, creating an environment of mutual respect.

What strategies have worked for you when discussing performance with a defensive team member?

Workforce Management Workforce Management

Workforce Management

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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
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  2. HR Management
  3. Workforce Management

Dealing with a defensive employee during a performance review. How can you navigate feedback effectively?

Addressing performance with a defensive employee is delicate. Here's how to foster a constructive review:

- Approach with empathy, acknowledging their feelings before diving into feedback.

- Use specific examples to illustrate points, avoiding vague language that can be misinterpreted.

- Encourage a dialogue by asking for their perspective, creating an environment of mutual respect.

What strategies have worked for you when discussing performance with a defensive team member?

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8 answers
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    Rosana S. Cotter

    Gestora Estratégica de Pessoas | Especialista em DHO, DEI e Operações | Foco em engajamento e eficiência

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    Procuro iniciar destacando pontos positivos e reconhecendo suas contribuições, antes de abordar os pontos de melhoria de forma construtiva. Utilizo exemplos concretos para embasar o feedback e evito julgamentos, incentivando o diálogo e dando espaço para que o funcionário expresse suas percepções. Dessa forma, a conversa se torna mais produtiva e direcionada ao desenvolvimento.

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    Ricardo Chang

    Strategic Business Manager│Business Development │Sales & Commercial │ B2B & B2C │ Disruptive Innovator

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    Para manejar un empleado defensivo en una evaluación de desempeño, algunas estrategias clave incluyen: ✅ Crear un ambiente seguro: Iniciar la conversación con reconocimiento de logros para reducir la resistencia. ✅ Usar un enfoque basado en hechos: Presentar datos objetivos en lugar de opiniones personales. ✅ Fomentar la escucha activa: Dar espacio para que el empleado exprese su perspectiva sin interrupciones. ✅ Reformular críticas como oportunidades: Enfocar áreas de mejora como pasos hacia el crecimiento profesional. ✅ Establecer un plan de acción: Definir metas claras para mejorar el desempeño sin generar confrontación.

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    Gloriah Eshiwani

    HR Generalist & Professional CV Writer | Helping Job Seekers Land Interviews Through Strategic Resume Optimization | 300+ Success Stories | LinkedIn Profile Enhancement

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    Instead of "performance review," try "growth conversation." Start with their strengths, then frame challenges as "opportunities to enhance impact." Use a "shared document" for real-time note taking, so both see the feedback evolve. End with agreed-upon action steps, making it a collaborative plan, not a lecture.

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    Domoina Raohilison

    Stratège RH & Consultante en devenir | Je redresse des RH invisibles et j’aligne pouvoir d’arbitrage, vision et résultats

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    Défense activée = dialogue bloqué. L’astuce ? Déminer avant de foncer. Valorisez d’abord les réussites, posez des questions ouvertes, et surtout… évitez le mode « tribunal ». Une évaluation, c’est un tremplin, pas un ring de boxe.

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    Renato Carvalho

    Supply Chain | Logistics | Process Optimization | People Management | Leadership | Distribution Center | Cost Reduction | Shipping | Transport | Receiving | Storage

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    Feedback eficaz transforma resistência em crescimento Funcionários defensivos nem sempre rejeitam o feedback muitas vezes, temem julgamentos. A abordagem faz toda a diferença. Criar um ambiente seguro, onde o foco está no desenvolvimento, reduz barreiras. Começar destacando pontos fortes gera abertura para melhorias. Usar fatos e exemplos concretos evita interpretações equivocadas. Ouvir ativamente e validar sentimentos demonstra respeito. Feedback não é imposição, é diálogo. Quando há clareza, empatia e propósito, até a defesa se torna aprendizado. #Liderança #Feedback #GestãoDePessoas #Desenvolvimento #InteligênciaEmocional

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    Bryan Dsouza

    Expert in Data-Driven Overtime Management & Resource Optimization | Learning Machine | Food Critic

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    To effectively navigate feedback with a defensive employee during a performance review, start with positive reinforcement, focus on specific behaviors and examples, and maintain a calm and collaborative approach, emphasizing growth and development.

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    David Noon

    Senior HR Leader | HR Generalist | Specialist Interest in Organisational Development & Culture | Passionate About Change Management, Leadership Development & Evidence-Based Decision Making

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    I feel the best way to manage a situation with a defensive member of the team who often rejects feedback is to have a very open and honest conversation. At the start of the meeting be very clear on the purpose and desired outcome and it is about having an honest and constructive conversation. I think the culture of the organisation is key, good role managing managers who lead with emotional intelligence, a culture or open, honest feedback, mutual respect and psychological safety is key to productive meetings. The managers own behaviour often impacts the tone of the meeting. Managers with a deep sense of self-awareness, self-control, listening and empathy often get the best out of the conversation and steer them in the right direction.

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    steve donald TCHUEM NEMBEU

    Responsable Financier de Projets et programmes

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    Pour aborder la gestion de performance avec un employé sura defensive, je pense qu'il faut d'abord poser un cadre de discussion agreable et bien expliquer au collaborateur que l'evaluation des performances fait partir du pilotage de sa carrière au sein de l'organisation. En amont, il faudra avoir fixé des objectifs SMART avec des criteres de reussite identifiable et clair. Pour eviter tout jugement de subjectivité. Commencer par les points positifs et inviter le collègue a en dire un mot sur ses succès. Ensuite aborder les points moins bon avec un langage tourné sur les actes et pas sur la personne. Proposer son support en faisant voir comment le fait de surmonter ces difficultés permettra au collègue d'atteindre ses ambitions.

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