Can you elaborate on the concept of separating coaching and evaluation feedback?

The book "Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well" challenges existing paradigms or practices in feedback delivery by emphasizing the importance of the receiver's role in the feedback process. Traditionally, the focus has been on how to give feedback effectively. However, this book shifts the focus to the receiver, arguing that the success of feedback largely depends on the receiver's ability to process and apply it. It also suggests that evaluative feedback should come before coaching, which is a departure from common practice. This approach helps to calm fears and assure employees of their standing, enabling them to better process and benefit from subsequent coaching feedback.

1. Separate evaluation from coaching: The book emphasizes the importance of separating evaluation from coaching. Evaluation helps to assure employees of their standing, while coaching is meant for improvement. Mixing the two can lead to confusion and distraction.

2. Address fears: Many employees fear evaluations. Managers should address these fears and assure employees that evaluations are meant to help them understand their standing and not to criticize them.

3. Avoid simultaneous feedback: The book advises against giving coaching and evaluation feedback simultaneously as it can overwhelm the employee and they may not fully process the feedback.