Question

Select all that apply
Why should you give feedback only on observable behaviors during a performance review?
1. You can never be sure that you know someone's thoughts and feelings.
2. If you focus on attitudes, you will seem judgmental.
3. Such feedback gives you extra power over employees.
4. The employee is less likely to become defensive.

Answer 1

Correct answers: 1, 2, and 4.

- 1: True — you can’t reliably know someone’s inner thoughts or feelings, so stick to what you can observe.
- 2: True — commenting on attitudes or motives often reads as judgmental or speculative.
- 4: True — behavior-based, specific feedback is less likely to provoke defensiveness because it’s factual and actionable.

3 is incorrect — the goal of observable feedback is clarity and effectiveness, not to gain power over employees.