The Psychology of Feedback: Why It’s So Hard and How to Make It Easier
🎙 Episode Title: The Psychology of Feedback: Why It’s So Hard and How to Make It Easier 📅 Episode Number: 3 🎧 Host: Erin Merideth 🔗 Website: unlearningwork.com
 
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Unlearning Work, host Erin Merideth explores the psychological dynamics that make giving and receiving feedback feel so emotionally charged—especially during performance reviews. If you’ve ever left a feedback conversation feeling misunderstood, discouraged, or unsure how to improve, this episode is for you.
Rooted in behavioral psychology, Erin breaks down the hidden triggers—like loss aversion, avoidance behavior, and reinforcement patterns—that often derail well-intentioned feedback. Then, she shares four practical strategies to help reshape feedback into something that builds trust, motivation, and growth at work.
Whether you’re a team leader or an individual contributor, this episode will help you make feedback easier, more effective, and far less stressful.
 
Key Topics Covered:
✅ Why Feedback Often Feels So Difficult


Past experiences condition our responses to feedback


How loss aversion and emotional memory amplify stress during reviews


Why even well-meaning feedback can trigger defensiveness


✅ The Feedback Loop That Doesn’t Work


Ambiguous reinforcement: Saying feedback matters but punishing honesty


Delayed reviews: Why waiting too long to share feedback creates confusion


Fear of feedback: How employees disengage when feedback only highlights mistakes


✅ How to Build Better Feedback Habits


Reward the Process, Not Just the Outcome → Acknowledge effort, progress, and resilience—not just results.


Create Psychological Safety → Invite input, ask open-ended questions, and reduce the threat of judgment.


Provide Immediate & Specific Feedback → Give timely, actionable insights while the experience is still fresh.


Reframe Feedback as a Growth Opportunity → Shift the focus from “what went wrong” to “what’s next.”


 
Episode Takeaways:
🔹 Feedback habits are deeply influenced by past experiences and brain chemistry. 🔹 When we avoid feedback, we miss chances for alignment, clarity, and connection. 🔹 Leaders can create healthier, more productive feedback environments through small shifts in language and timing. 🔹 You don’t need to overhaul your culture—just start by reinforcing feedback as a two-way, future-focused conversation.
 
Join the Conversation!
🎯 What’s one change you could make to improve the way you give or receive feedback?💬 Share your reflections with us on social media or in the Unlearning Work Community.🔗 Visit unlearningwork.com to dive deeper into tools and resources that support effective feedback.
 
Subscribe & Stay Connected
📲 Download the Unlearning Work App for easy access to leadership tools, habit trackers, and new episodes.📥 Get Exclusive Insights via the Work Reimagined Newsletter.🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite app.⭐ Leave a Review if you found this episode valuable—it helps others find the show!📲 Follow Erin Merideth on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIN for more practical tips on leadership and behavioral change.
 
📢 Next Episode Teaser: Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll explore how leaders can create a thriving feedback culture!

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