202205021956 Feedback is for changing behavior

The sole purpose of feedback is to drive a specific change in behavior.

This statement needs no further explanation, but let's drive the point home with a specific corollary.

If you need to deliver feedback, but the individual has something distressing and distraction going on, don't give the feedback at all.

this is the ask stage of feedback delivery #thread

First of all, the feedback will be less effective or counterproductive since the person is distracted.

More importantly though, there's no need for the feedback to be delivered whatsoever given the purpose is to drive behavior change.

Take the two possible outcomes for not giving the feedback:

1. You don't give the feedback and the behavior continues. By definition this gives us another opportunity to give the feedback in better circumstances.
2. You don't give the feedback and the behavior stops. Our goal is achieved, there's no need for the feedback at all.