Give Feedback SBI model

You know that terrible noise a microphone makes when it gets too close to the signal receiver? That’s called feedback. Sometimes when we try to give feedback or receive it the experience can be just as terrible as that sound coming from a screeching microphone— but it doesn’t have to be that way.

A productive and honest process to give feedback is crucial for any successful high-performing team. Yes, it can be intimidating to initiate feedback as a leader, but remember there is no growth in a comfort zone. We can only improve when we stretch ourselves outside of what is comfortable and safe. It’s time to start giving your team feedback that will make a positive impact.

When it comes time to give feedback, one of the best frameworks you can use to have these conversations is an approach introduced by the Center for Creative Leadership, the Situation-Behavior-Impact or SBI Model.

What is the SBI model?

SBI lays out three clear steps to make the most of any conversation where you need to give feedback. It works best when you have a specific event or project you want to discuss.

Situation: Explain the situation. Be as specific as possible. Describe when and where it happened.

Behavior: Express how you perceived the other person’s behavior or actions. Don’t assume you know their intent.

Impact: Communicate how the other person’s behavior or actions affected you. Talk about your thoughts or feelings in that moment.

As a manager or a young leader, clear communication is essential to you and your team’s success. You need your team to trust and respect you and by providing open honest constructive feedback you’ll continue building that trust. Using SBI will help you solve problems by focusing on the action and not the individual. Let’s see the SBI model in action.

A Good Example Using the SBI Model

Give Feedback SBI

Let’s look at an example of the right way to utilize the SBI model and give feedback.

In this example, a young manager, Anna, needs to confront an older team member, Jacob. Anna is new to the company; while Jacob has been working there for the last 15 years. Anna is worried about how her feedback will be taken by Jacob as a young leader in the organization, but she knows she needs to have this conversation.

Situation: Before she has the meeting, she writes down some notes and practices what she wants to say to herself. Anna schedules a one on one meeting with Jacob in a private conference room. She doesn’t want to confront him in front of the group. She explains the situation she wants to discuss using specific details. “Jacob, Tuesday we had a meeting about the new schedule I made for the team.”

Behavior: She continues calling out the behavior she witnessed. She expresses how she perceived the behavior, but not Jacob’s intentions. “After the meeting, in the break room, I heard you saying how unhappy you were with the new schedule I created in front of our whole team.”

Impact: Using “I” statements, she communicates how Jacob’s behavior affected her. “I felt put down by your comments. I am worried your thoughts will influence how the team responds to my leadership.” Anna asks Jacob to think about the feedback and schedules a follow up meeting to talk about how they can improve their communication in the future.

What did Anna do well in this scenario? Here are the five things that Anna did successfully to navigate the situation.

  1. Scheduling a one on one. Feedback should never be given in front of the group. Be sure to keep meetings about feedback private. Anna kept the tension down by pulling Jacob aside.
  2. Citing specific facts. Be as specific as possible about the behavior or action. Don’t attack the person. Anna set the scene and stuck to the facts. Jacob had no way to deny what she was saying.
  3. Use statements that begin with “I” when communicating the impact. “I felt…” “I was upset…” etc. By keeping her feelings the focus of the conversation Anna isn’t attacking Jacob as a person.
  4. Scheduling a follow-up meeting. Don’t discuss the feedback right away. Ask the person to take time to think about it. Jacob now has the opportunity to decide how he wants to respond.
  5. Practice what you are going to say before you go into the meeting and anticipate what the other person might say in response. Anna’s preparation paid off. She remained calm, cool, and collected.

The Bad Example

Now let’s look at a poor example. Feedback is a touchy subject. There’s a lot that can go wrong.

Stephen is a new manager at a nonprofit organization. He is having trouble changing old policies and bringing the team together under a new vision. He’s not sure exactly who to confront, but he’s very frustrated his new strategies aren’t being implemented faster.

Situation: At their weekly team meeting with all 15 team members, he says he has a matter to discuss before the scheduled agenda items. In a rush of emotion, all his pent-up feelings come out at once. He yells at the team, taking a tone. “We’re moving too slowly. Nothing is happening here. What is the problem, guys?”

Behavior: In the heat of the moment, he can’t think of any specific actions to address. He starts calling out individuals. “Cary, your fundraising numbers are down. You’re not doing anything I told you.” “Damon, none of the social media pages are getting any more engagement. What is your issue?”

Impact: Stephen begins to explain his feelings, but instead of focusing on himself, he puts the blame on his team. “I’m not performing because of all of you. Your output reflects my input. You all have to do better. Currently, no one is meeting the level of performance I need to see.”

What went wrong here? Here are 5 things Stephen needs to improve.

  1. Never react in the moment. Take time to cool down and think through the feedback you want to deliver. Stephen should have practiced his feedback before the meeting.
  2. Even if there is a problem with an entire team, feedback is not delivered most effectively in front of the group. Always give feedback one on one. Stephen should have called employees into private meetings.
  3. Stay analytical. Don’t bring the person into action. This starts to feel like judgment instead of feedback. By calling people out in an aggressive manner, Stephen deepened the issues on his team.
  4. Discuss how you perceived a specific action. Don’t bring the person or team into it with generalizations. Stephen was incapable of describing his feelings solely with “I” statements. He confused giving feedback with expressing frustration.
  5. Remember that as a manager, you could be the problem too. Don’t assume you are beyond reproach. The need to give feedback goes both ways. Stephen needed to be open to thoughts from his team.

Key Takeaways

The biggest challenge any new manager or young leader can face is gaining the credibility and respect of their team. If you ignore problems in your team and sweep them under the rug because of your fear of confrontation, your team will suffer. Using the SBI model as a tool can help make these conversations much more manageable.

By setting an example for your team and showing that feedback will be a serious and consistent part of your dynamic, you demonstrate that you are invested in their development. This isn’t easy stuff, but practice makes perfect. With time, the SBI model can be an effective tool in your toolbox. If you follow it and take the time to get to know your team, everyone will be more successful in the end.

Icon White in Circle

RECAP: How to Give Feedback Using the SBI Model

Yes, giving feedback can seem like a daunting task for any leader, but if you get it right you will reap the rewards. Feedback done the right way leads to greater communications and continuous improvement. Using the Situation Behavior, and Impact model can provide a great tool to help you and your teams.

This is Why Women Leaders are Better for Business.
Articles Research Women

This is Why Women Leaders are Better for Business.

Why Continuous Learning Makes You a Better Leader
Articles

Why Continuous Learning Makes You a Better Leader

15 Apps and Tools Every Leader Needs
Articles

15 Apps and Tools Every Leader Needs

The Power of a The Growth Mindset
Articles Personal Growth Research

The Power of a The Growth Mindset

Why Every Leader should know SWOT Analysis
Articles

Why Every Leader should know SWOT Analysis

5 Ways to Instantly Enhance Your Executive Presence
Articles Career

5 Ways to Instantly Enhance Your Executive Presence

8 Habits of Famous Leaders that You Should Try
Articles

8 Habits of Famous Leaders that You Should Try

The 10 Leadership Theories You Should Know
Leadership Style Articles Research

The 10 Leadership Theories You Should Know

A Leader’s Guide to the DISC Personality Assessment
Personal Growth Articles Research

A Leader’s Guide to the DISC Personality Assessment

5 Leadership Habits for New Leaders
Articles

5 Leadership Habits for New Leaders

The Best Way to Give Feedback—SBI Model
Articles

The Best Way to Give Feedback—SBI Model

Learn 8 Memory Techniques that Work
Personal Growth Articles

Learn 8 Memory Techniques that Work

9 Must-Have Job Skills You Can Use Anywhere
Articles Personal Growth

9 Must-Have Job Skills You Can Use Anywhere

10 Leadership Styles You Should Know
Leadership Style Articles

10 Leadership Styles You Should Know

The 17 Most Inspirational Videos to Inspire Better Leadership
Articles Video

The 17 Most Inspirational Videos to Inspire Better Leadership

Are the Best Leaders Born or Made?
Career Articles

Are the Best Leaders Born or Made?

The 12 Podcasts Every Good Leader Should Subscribe To
Articles Podcast Research

The 12 Podcasts Every Good Leader Should Subscribe To

5 Character Traits of Great Leaders?
Personal Growth Articles

5 Character Traits of Great Leaders?

11 Books Every Great Leader Should Read (or Return To)
Research Articles Books

11 Books Every Great Leader Should Read (or Return To)

What is the Situational Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Situational Leadership Style?

What is the Servant Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Servant Leadership Style?

What is the Democratic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Democratic Leadership Style?

What is the Supportive Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Supportive Leadership Style?

What is the Transactional Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Transactional Leadership Style?

What is the Laissez-faire Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Laissez-faire Leadership Style?

What is the Transformational Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Transformational Leadership Style?

What is the Charismatic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Charismatic Leadership Style?

What is the Autocratic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Autocratic Leadership Style?

The 20 Best Quotes from Maya Angelou
Quotes

The 20 Best Quotes from Maya Angelou

29 of the Best Sports Quotes for Leaders
Quotes

29 of the Best Sports Quotes for Leaders

The 40 Best Innovation Quotes for Leaders
Quotes

The 40 Best Innovation Quotes for Leaders

The 40 Best Leadership Quotes
Quotes

The 40 Best Leadership Quotes

POC Principle: The 3 Words that will Change Your Life for the Better
Personal Growth Articles Inspiration

POC Principle: The 3 Words that will Change Your Life for the Better

Your 2020 To-Do List: 10 Things You Can Do to Make This Year Great
Articles Personal Growth

Your 2020 To-Do List: 10 Things You Can Do to Make This Year Great

5 Useful Lessons From History’s Greatest Leaders
Articles

5 Useful Lessons From History’s Greatest Leaders

GOAT: The 10 Greatest Leaders Ever ― Let the Debate Begin
Articles

GOAT: The 10 Greatest Leaders Ever ― Let the Debate Begin