How to Give Difficult Feedback Assessment Quiz

Before we dive into Lesson 1, let’s take a moment to reflect on where you currently stand when it comes to delivering effective feedback. Attached is an assessment designed to help you gauge your comfort level with the key components of giving feedback. Remember, this is just for you—so be honest with yourself and consider how you typically perform in each area.

After you’ve completed the course, revisit this assessment at the three-month mark. Compare your responses to see how far you’ve come and identify any areas that still need improvement. This will help you track your progress and continue refining your feedback skills.

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How comfortable am I with initiating a difficult conversation with a direct report?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I avoid difficult conversations because of potential negative reactions?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How well do I prepare for difficult conversations in terms of gathering facts and examples?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I prepare for how the other person might react to my constructive feedback?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How skilled am I at providing specific examples of behavior that needs improvement?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How effectively can I translate value judgments on people (aka “soft”) skills (e.g., “bad attitude”) into observable behaviors?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How confident am I in clearly articulating the issue at hand without being vague or contradictory?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How well do I manage my emotions when the other person becomes defensive or upset?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How confident am I that my feedback will be perceived as constructive rather than personal criticism?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How skilled am I at refocusing conversations back to my feedback when the other person blames external factors for their behavior?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I interrupt or defend my position during feedback sessions?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I communicate the benefits of changing behavior(s) to the other person when giving difficult feedback?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How skilled am I at gauging if the other person heard the feedback in the manner in which it was intended (i.e., do they “get” my feedback)?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How skilled am I at asking open-ended questions to encourage self-reflection in the other person?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How effectively do I deal with “feelings conversations” when strong emotions arise?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How skilled am I at reframing defensive responses into constructive discussions?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I tend to personalize negative responses when the other person challenges or questions my authority or feedback?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How often do I focus on “what went wrong” instead of “how to move forward”?(Required)

Rarely (less than 10% of the time)	Infrequently (about 10-20% of the time)	Occasionally (about 30-40% of the time)	Regularly (about 50% of the time)	Frequently (about 60-70% of the time)	Very Frequently (about 80-90% of the time)	Almost Always (more than 90% of the time)

How to Give Difficult Feedback Assessment Quiz

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